Fe + 50 wt.% WC composite coating was prepared by laser induction hybrid rapid cladding (LIHRC) on steel substrate. The phase and microstructure of the composite coating were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and energy dispersive spectrum (EDS). The results showed that WC particles were dissolved almost completely to precipitate the coarse herringbone M6C eutectic carbides and the. ne dendritic M6C carbides, and that the partially dissolved WC particles with an alloyed reaction layer were occasionally observed in the whole coating. The phases of the composite coating were composed of supersaturated solid solution alpha-Fe, retained austenite, Fe3C, W2C, M6C and M7C3. The microstructure evolution in the composite coating was represented by the transformation of three parts such as Fe-based metallic matrix, dispersed carbides and incompletely dissolved WC particles. The microhardness of Fe-based WC composite coating was three times much higher than that of the substrate, but was relatively lower than that of Ni-based WC composite coating by LIHRC. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.