Abstract: Disclosed herein are a paste composition capable of, even when the thickness of a silicon semiconductor substrate (1) is reduced, satisfactorily achieving a desired BSF effect and suppressing the deformation (bow) of the silicon semiconductor substrate (1) occurring after the firing of the paste composition without reducing the mechanical strength of an obtained electrode (8) and the adhesion of the electrode (8) to the silicon semiconductor substrate (1), an electrode (8) formed using the paste composition, and a solar cell element including the electrode (8). The paste composition is used for forming an electrode on a silicon semiconductor substrate (1), and contains aluminum powder, an organic vehicle, and whisker insoluble or hardly-soluble in the organic vehicle, the whisker being previously mixed with the aluminum powder and the organic vehicle.

Abstract: A raw material for powder metallurgy contains at least 0.5 vol % and at most 10 vol % of alumina powder of which the sieve fraction with a sieve opening of 30 .mu.m is at most 0.1 wt %, and a remaining part of aluminum alloy powder. The moisture content of the alumina powder is at most 0.15 wt. % with respect to the alumina powder. Agglomeration of particles is thereby minimized or avoided. Highly reliable raw material for powder metallurgy having superior fatigue strength, impact resistance and wear resistance can be obtained. A method of preparing such a mixed powder raw material involves air classifying the powder materials, dry ball mixing the materials, and then annealing the mixed powder.