An interstitial compound or alloy is a compound that is formed when small atoms like hydrogen, boron, carbon or nitrogen are trapped in the interstitial holes in a metal lattice.
They are usually non-stoichiometric compounds,
e.g., TiC, ZrH1.92 , Mn4N.
1. They are hard and show electrical and thermal conductivity.
2. They have high melting points.
3. Transition metal hydrides are used as powerful reducing agents.
4. Metallic carbides are chemically inert.