Contact material, method of manufacturing same, and vacuum valve

6:

• A contact material having a structure in which WC particles each coated with a Ni alloy are dispersed in a matrix formed of Cu,
• wherein a content of the Ni alloy with respect to the contact material falls within a range of 1.2 mass % or more and 3.7 mass % or less, and
• wherein a relative density of the contact material is 90% or more of a theoretical density of the contact material.

7:

• The contact material according to claim 6, wherein the Ni alloy is a Ni—P alloy.

8:

• The contact material according to claim 6, wherein the content of the Ni alloy with respect to the contact material falls within a range of 1.2 mass % or more and 3.7 mass % or less, and a balance being Cu, WC and unavoidable impurities.

9:

• The contact material according to claim 7, wherein the content of the Ni alloy with respect to the contact material falls within a range of 1.2 mass % or more and 3.7 mass % or less, and a balance being Cu, WC and unavoidable impurities.

11:

• The method of manufacturing a contact material according to claim 10, further comprising:
• recompressing the resultant sintered compact, followed by resintering the sintered compact at a temperature of more than 1,083° C. and less than 1,455° C.

12:

• A vacuum valve, comprising a contact formed of the contact material of claim 6.