What general property is associated with intermetallic compounds compared to their constituent elements?

Intermetallic compounds often display increased hardness and brittleness compared to the individual metals from which they are formed. This behavior stems from the ordering of atoms in the intermetallic phase, which typically leads to a more rigid and less ductile structure than that of the individual metals.

In these compounds, the distinct atomic arrangements result in strong bonding interactions and limited slip systems, which are crucial for plastic deformation. This makes intermetallics more challenging to deform under stress, thus increasing their brittleness. They often serve important functions in materials science, as their unique mechanical properties can be beneficial in applications requiring high strength and hardness, such as aerospace or automotive industries. This characteristic of intermetallics plays a significant role in their performance in high-temperature and high-stress environments.

The other options do not accurately reflect the general properties associated with intermetallic compounds. For instance, while some may exhibit certain inertness, it's not a defining feature of intermetallics compared to their constituent elements. Likewise, intermetallic compounds are generally more stable than their individual metals under certain conditions, contradicting the choice suggesting less stability. Finally, the assertion that intermetallics tend to be more malleable is incorrect; rather, they are