Patent ID: 8641834

Claim:
A method for manufacturing an electric contact material comprising steps of: subjecting an alloy to an internally oxidizing process, the alloy containing 1 to 15 mass % of Cu, 0.01 to 0.7 mass % of Ni, and the remainder of Ag and unavoidable impurities, the internally oxidizing process being carried out for 6 to 60 hours at a temperature of 500 to 770° C. and at a partial oxygen pressure of 0.02 MPa or more and 1.0 MPa or less; lowering the temperature; and subjecting the alloy to an oxygen concentration process which is carried out for 6 to 24 hours at a temperature of 100 to 300° C. and at a partial oxygen pressure of 0.02 MPa or more and 1.0 MPa or less.