In　this　study,　the　shape　memory　alloy　of　TiNb24Zr6　was　firstly　prepared　and　then　introduced　into　WC-Co　and　a　new　type　of　WC-Co-TiNbZr　composite　was　fabricated.　The　phase　constitution,　element　distribution,　microstructure,　and　mechanical　properties　were　systematically　characterized.　It　was　found　that　the　added　TiNb24Zr6　reacted　with　the　WC　matrix　and　an　intermediate　(Ti,Nb)C　phase　formed　during　the　sintering　process.　As　a　result,　the　shape　memory　effect　of　TiNb24Zr6　did　not　play　a　part　in　the　plastic　deformation　of　the　composite.　On　the　other　side,　the　produced　(Ti,Nb)C　phase　played　a　significant　role　in　the　mechanical　behavior　of　the　composite.　Due　to　the　difference　in　the　elastic　modulus　between　(Ti,Nb)C　and　WC,　cracks　deflection　and　bridging　occurred　in　the　vicinity　of　(Ti,Nb)C　under　mechanical　loading.　Moreover,　the　produced　(Ti,Nb)C　had　a　specific　coherent　interfacial　relationship　with　the　WC　matrix,　which　enhanced　the　interfacial　bonding　strength　and　resistance　against　intergranular　fracture　of　the　composite.　The　hardness　and　fracture　toughness　of　the　present　composite　achieved　1943.5　±　12.8　kgf/mm2　and　17.3　±　0.5　MPa·m1/2　respectively,　which　are　superior　compared　with　those　of　the　counterparts　reported　in　the　literature.　The　strengthening　and　toughening　mechanisms　disclosed　in　this　study　will　be　applicable　to　a　wide　range　of　WC-based　composites　to　achieve　excellent　comprehensive　mechanical　properties.　©　2023