Cathode material

A cathode material for use in a high-pressure discharge lamp contains a matrix based on tungsten having a tungsten content of greater than or equal to 95% by weight, tungsten carbide, and oxides and/or predominantly oxidic phases of one or more emitter elements from the group of rare earth metals, Hf, and Zr. The cathode material additionally contains predominantly carbidic phases of the one or more emitter elements from the group of rare earth metals, Hf, and Zr. A high-pressure discharge lamp would contain such a cathode composed of the above cathode material.