The　WC-Co　cermet　bulks　were　prepared　by　spark　plasma　sintering　(SPS)　using　powder　mixtures　with　different-scaled　WC　particles.　The　SPS　densification　process　was　studied　by　calculating　the　current　distribution　between　the　powder　sample　and　the　die　in　the　SPS　system.　The　microstructures　were　characterized　and　compared　for　different　samples　by　the　WC　grain　size,　Co　mean　free　path　and　contiguity　of　WC　grains.　In　spite　of　a　weak　effect　of　WC　particle　size　on　the　SPS　densification　stages,　the　WC　particle　size　plays　a　significant　role　in　the　homogeneity　of　the　cermet　microstructure.　Good　mechanical　properties　of　the　SPSed　cermet　were　obtained　with　an　optimized　WC　and　Co　particle-size　combination.　The　effects　of　scale　combination　of　WC　and　Co　particles　on　the　microstructure　hence　the　properties　of　the　SPSed　cermet　were　discussed.　(C)　2009　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.