Provided is a cathode material which becomes an alternative material of a cathode material formed of a W—ThO2 alloy and is formed of a tungsten alloy that does not include thorium which is a radioactive element. When particles of a rare earth oxide and tungsten carbide are finely dispersed in a tungsten cathode material used as a discharge cathode material used in TIG, plasma spraying, plasma cutting, electrical discharge machining, discharge lamps and the like, reduction and diffusion of the rare earth oxide are accelerated, and supply of rare earth elements to a cathode surface is ensured, thereby improving discharge characteristics.