Due to the weak properties of W2C phase, its formation during the process of WC synthesis should be prevented. The aim of the present study has been the mechano-chemical synthesis of aWC–Al2O3 composite powder free from undesirable W2C phase through the addition of excess carbon to the WO3–2Al–C initial mixture. Based on the thermodynamic calculations and results of the supplementary experiments in W–yC and W2C–C systems, the possibility of the conversion of W2C to WC phase through the addition of excess carbon has been investigated. It has been shown that production of a WC–Al2O3 composite powder by 360 min mechano-chemical treatment of an initial mixture of WO3–2Al–1.8C is possible. TEM observations and Williamson–Hall calculation revealed that the obtained WC–Al2O3 powder contains macro-size agglomerates in which each agglomerate consists of nano-size phases

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