An interstitial defect is formed when a foreign (solute) atom is positioned in the crystal structure at a point that is normally unoccupied,The defect is formed when a solute atom such as an alloying or impurity element sits within a gap between the crystal lattice points of the base metal (solvent). An interstitial atom is usually smaller than the solvent atoms located at the lattice points, but is larger than the interstitial site it occupies.Carbon in iron (steel) is one example of an element that is interstitial.