It is an electrode material that is used as an electrode contact of a vacuum interrupter and that contains one or more parts by weight of a heat-resistant element and one part by weight of Cr, the remainder being Cu and an unavoidable impurity. A part of Cr powder and the heat-resistant element powder are mixed together, and this mixed powder is sintered such that a peak corresponding to Cr element disappears in X-ray diffraction measurement. A solid solution powder obtained by pulverizing a sintered body of the heat-resistant element and Cr obtained by the sintering is mixed with the remaining Cr powder, and this mixed powder is shaped and then sintered. A sintered body obtained by this sintering is infiltrated with Cu.

Methods for grain refinement of beryllium articles are disclosed. Grain refinement allows the beryllium article to have beneficial properties in terms of strength and durability. One method stabilizes the -phase of the beryllium that is precipitated after cycling above a temperature that is greater than or equal to the beta transus temperature.

Methods for grain refinement of beryllium articles are disclosed. Grain refinement allows the beryllium article to have beneficial properties in terms of strength and durability. One method stabilizes the -phase of the beryllium that is precipitated after cycling above a temperature that is greater than or equal to the beta transus temperature.