PURPOSE: To provide a relay having the simple structure and the different operation principle in place of an electromagnetic relay, which needs a considerable quantity of the exciting current and which generates the chattering phenomenon of a contact at the time of operation.
CONSTITUTION: A contact part 3 is provided in one end of a thin plate metal piece 1, and piezoelectric elements 2C, 2D are fitted to the other end through the insulating material 6. The thin plate metal pieces 1 respectively having the contact part 3 and the piezoelectric elements 2C, 2D are arranged at positions so that the contact parts 3 thereof are opposite to each other. The positive and the negative voltage are applied to respective electrodes 2a, 2b of these piezoelectric elements 2C, 2D to curve the thin plate metal pieces 1, and the mutual contact parts 3 are controlled to be opened and closed.