Metallic bonds are a type of chemical bond found in metals, where atoms share their outermost electrons freely. This creates a "sea of electrons" that allows the metal atoms to slide past each other, giving metals their characteristic malleability and ductility. The positive metal ions are held together by the attraction to these delocalized electrons, which helps maintain the structure of the metal. In metallic bonding, the strength of the bond varies depending on the number of electrons shared and the arrangement of the atoms. This bonding is responsible for many properties of metals, such as electrical conductivity and luster, making them useful in various applications, including electronics and construction.