PURPOSE: To provide an electrode for plasma arc generation which is less consumed at the time of initial arc start and a process for production of this electrode.

CONSTITUTION: This electrode is constituted by mounting an electrode part 12 consisting of halfnium or zirconium at a main body 9 consisting of a highly thermally conductive material and forming a nitrogen compd. layer of the halfnium or zirconium or a layer consisting of a nitrogen compd. and an oxygen compd. on an arc generating surface 13 of this electrode part 12. A heat energy beam is condensed and cast to the arc generating surface 13 of this electrode part 12 in an atmosphere of gaseous nitrogen or a gaseous mixture composed of oxygen and nitrogen.