A　rapid　route　of　synthesizing　WC-Co　composite　powder　by　in　situ　reduction　and　carbonization　reactions　of　metal　oxides　and　carbon　was　proposed.　The　effects　of　a　series　of　processing　parameters　on　the　preparation　of　the　pure-phase　and　ultrafine　composite　powder　were　studied　systemically.　It　is　found　that　the　phase　constitution　in　the　prepared　composite　powder　is　influenced　by　the　carbon　addition　content　in　the　starting　powders,　the　milling　time,　the　vacuum　pressure,　and　the　reaction　temperature.　The　long-time　ball　milling,　low　reaction　temperature　and　short　holding　time　are　favorable　to　obtain　the　fine　and　homogeneous　composite　powder　particles.　(C)　2008　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.