Metal (source code)

= Metal
{wiki}

A <metal> is a material characterized by metallic bonding and electronic states that permit substantial electrical conduction. Many metals also conduct heat well and can deform plastically through motion of crystal <dislocations>. These are typical behaviors rather than a claim that every metal has identical hardness or appearance.

For example, <copper> is a useful electrical conductor, while <mercury (element)> is liquid near room temperature. A protective oxide can make a reactive metal resist further corrosion. The word can denote either an elemental chemical classification or a metallic material such as an <alloy>, so composition and structure should be specified.