Abstract: An electric contact material containing Li oxide of 0.01 to 2.0% by weight when represented in terms of the amount of Li, oxide of at least one rare earth element of 0.05 to 0.18% by weight when represented in terms of the amount of the rare earth element, and Ag or Ag alloy as the remaining portion; an electric contact material containing Li oxide of 0.01 to 2.0% by weight when represented in terms of the amount of Li, at least one rare earth element of 0.05 to 0.18% by weight when represented in terms of the amount of the rare earth element, at least one element selected from a group consisting of In, Sn, Zn, Mn, Pd, Sb, Cu, Mg, Pb, Cd, Cr and Bi by an amount of 0.1 to 1.0% by weight (however, in the case of Zn and Mn, the amount is set less than 0.5% by weight), and/or at least one element selected from a group consisting of Fe, Ni and Co by an amount of 0.03 to 0.6% by weight, and Ag as the remaining portion; and an electric contact formed by using the above material.

Abstract: An electric contact material comprising 0.01 to 2.0 weight % of Li, 0.01 weight % or more to less than 0.2 weight % of at least one rare earth metal and the remainder being Ag. The electric contact material may further comprise 0.1 to 1.0 weight % of at least one element selected from a group consisting of In, Sn, Zn, Mn, Pd, Sb, Cu, Mg, Pb, Cd, Cr and Bi, however, for Zn and Mn, the amount is less than 0.5 % by weight; and/or 0.03 to 0.6 weight % of at least one element selected from a group consisting of Fe, Ni and Co. The electric contact material is excellent in arc resistance, wear resistance and lubricity in a small current region and is suitable as a material for a slide contact and a rotary slide contact.