Dense, near-net-shaped, carbide-rich, carbide/tungsten composites have been produced at modest temperatures by the displacive compensation of porosity (DCP) method. Porous, freestanding WC preforms were infiltrated and reacted with a Zr2Cu liquid at 1300degreesC and ambient pressure. The carbon in the WC was displaced by zirconium in the melt to yield ZrCx and tungsten. The increase in solid volume associated with this displacement reaction was compensated by the prior pore volume of the preform. Dense ZrCx/WC/W composites that possessed <5 vol% residual copper-bearing phase, and retained the shape and dimensions of the preform, were produced.