Patent ID: 8324918

Claim:
A probe needle material used for producing a probe needle which is used in contact with an inspection object to inspect electrical characteristics of the inspection object, comprising, a volume, wherein said volume is not less than 0.1% but not more than 3.5% of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of titanium boride, zirconium boride, hafnium boride, niobium boride, tantalum boride, chromium boride, titanium carbide, zirconium carbide, hafnium carbide, vanadium carbide, niobium carbide, tantalum carbide, zirconium oxide, hafnium oxide and chromium oxide and the balance of a tungsten alloy mainly consisting of tungsten; wherein the compound is in a particulate state and contained in a dispersed state in a matrix mainly consisting of tungsten in the tungsten alloy.