Question

What is an example of interstitial carbide?
A.$WC$
B.$Ca{C_2}$
C.$A{l_4}{C_3}$
D.$SiC$

Answer 1

Hint: We need to know that a carbide usually describes a compound composed of carbon and a metal. In metallurgy, or carburizing is the process for producing carbide coatings on a metal piece. They are formed so that the carbon atoms fit into octahedral interstices in a close-packed metal lattice when the metal atom's radius is greater than \[\~135pm\].

Complete answer:
Carbides can be generally classified by the chemical bonds type as follows:
Salt-like (ionic)
Covalent compounds
Interstitial compounds
Intermediate transition metal carbides.
Salt-like carbides are composed of highly electropositive elements such as the alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and group 3 metals, including scandium, yttrium, and lanthanum. Methanides are a subset of carbides distinguished by their tendency to decompose in water producing methane. Three examples are aluminum carbide \[A{l_4}{C_3}\] and magnesium carbide \[M{g_2}C\]. Several carbides are assumed to be salts of the acetylide anion \[{C_2}^{2-}\] (also called per carbide), which has a triple bond between the two carbon atoms. Alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and lanthanide metals form acetylides. For example: sodium carbide \[N{a_2}{C_2}\], calcium carbide \[Ca{C_2}\] and \[La{C_2}\]. Interstitial carbides describe the carbides of the group-IV, V, and VI transition metals. These carbides are metallic and refractory. Interstitial carbides can be $ZrC$ (Zirconium Carbide), $VC$ (Vanadium Carbide) and $WC$ (Tungsten Carbide).

Note:
We have to know that the interstitial carbides have very high melting points and retain many of the properties associated with the metal itself, such as high conductivity of heat and electricity as well as metallic luster. Interstitial carbides are characterized by extreme hardness but at the same time extreme brittleness.