Metal particle and electroconductive paste formed therefrom

An electro-conductive paste comprising a metal particle and a vehicle, wherein:

• the metal particle consists of a core part and an outer shell, the core part containing a metal or an alloy, the outer shell containing an intermetallic compound and covering the core part;
• 50% or more of a total surface area of the core part is covered with the outer shell;
• a particle size of the metal particle is from 1 μm to 20 μm;
• the core part containing Sn or a Sn alloy;
• the outer shell containing an intermetallic compound of Sn and Cu;
• and
• the metal particle is dispersed in the vehicle.