Dendrite (metal)

See dendrite for the biological usage

A dendrite in metallurgy is a characteristic tree-like structure of crystals growing as molten metal freezes, the shape produced by faster growth along energetically favourable crystallographic directions.

Dendrites also form during the freezing of many nonmetallic substances such as ice.

Dendrites usually form in rapid cooling, or non-equilibrium conditions.

Common dendritic metal material is nickel carbonyl, where the particles have a classical "spiky" morphology.