Context: An alloy is a mixture of metals or a mixture of a metal and another element. Alloys are defined by metallic bonding character. An alloy may be a solid solution of metal elements (a single phase) or a mixture of metallic phases (two or more solutions). Intermetallic compounds are alloys with a defined stoichiometry and crystal structure. Zintl phases are also sometimes considered alloys depending on bond types (see also: Van Arkel-Ketelaar triangle for information on classifying bonding in binary compounds).

Question: What is an alloy?
Answer: a mixture of metals or a mixture of a metal and another element

Question: What are alloys defined by?
Answer: metallic bonding character

Question: When are Zintl considered alloys?
Answer: depending on bond types

Question: What is solid solution metal elements classified as?
Answer: a single phase

Question: What is always a mixture of metal and other elements?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What is defined by its atomic bonding character?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What type of solution has a single phase in two or more solutions?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What type of phases are always considered to be alloys?
Answer: Unanswerable