Metallic bonding occurs as a result of the electrical attraction forces between the protons in the nuclei of the metal species and the delocalised electrons (which form a sea of electrons surrounding the array of protons). The malleability is achieved due to the ease of sliding layers of metal ions past each other, thus giving a different shape. The conductance of electricity is due to the potential difference created between the sea of delocalised valence electrons and the positive protons.