The　impact　effect　on　electrical　contact　of　dry　reed　relay　has　been　investigated　with　scanning　electron　microscopy　(SEM),　X-ray　fluorescence　(EDX),　and　Auger　electron　spectroscopy　(AES)　analytical　systems.　On　the　basis　of　experiments,　it　has　been　recognized　that　mechanical　impact　was　a　serious　problem　for　this　kind　of　relay　contact.　SEM,　EDX,　and　AES　analysis　revealed　that　considerable　damage　of　the　contact　zones　resulted　from　the　impact　action　and　substantial　exchange　of　material　occurred.　The　contact　resistance　varied　with　increase　of　impact　numbers.　The　results　showed　that　impact　action　can　lead　to　impact　wear,　resistance　failure,　or　failures　to　release　(sometimes　called　sticking)　after　a　relatively　small　number　of　operations.　A　model　of　impact　action　was　proposed　and　tested.　It　was　also　used　to　study　the　processes　involved　in　impacting.