intermetallic
|in-ter-met-al-lic|
🇺🇸
/ˌɪntərməˈtælɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌɪntə(r)məˈtælɪk/
between metals / metal compound
Etymology
'intermetallic' originates from English, formed by the prefix 'inter-' (from Latin 'inter', meaning 'between') combined with 'metallic' (from 'metal', ultimately from Greek 'metallon' meaning 'mine' or 'metal').
'intermetallic' was constructed in modern scientific English by joining 'inter-' + 'metallic' to describe substances or phases occurring between metals; the term became established in metallurgy and materials science in the late 19th to early 20th century.
Initially it had the literal sense 'between metals'; over time it became a technical term referring specifically to compounds or crystal phases with defined compositions and structures formed by metallic elements.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a compound composed of two or more metallic elements with a specific stoichiometry and an ordered crystal structure; an intermetallic compound.
An intermetallic formed at the grain boundaries made the alloy brittle.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of compounds or phases formed between two or more metallic elements, especially those with a defined stoichiometry and ordered crystal structure.
Intermetallic phases often determine the mechanical properties of high-temperature alloys.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/15 13:32