Metallic bond, force that holds atoms together in a metallic substance. ... The atoms that the electrons leave behind become positive ions, and the interaction between such ions and valence electrons gives rise to the cohesive or binding force that holds the metallic crystal together.
A metallic bond is the sharing of many detached electrons between many positive ions, where the electrons act as a "glue" giving the substance a definite structure. It is unlike covalent or ionic bonding. ... The electrons and the positive ions in the metal have a strong attractive force between them.