The TiC/TiB/TiN reinforced composite coating was prepared by laser cladding of the Fe/Al + B4C/SiC pre-placed powders on Ti-6Al-4V alloy in the nitrogen protective atmosphere. Nevertheless, the pores and micro-crack were present in this coating. Through the experiment, it was found that Cu can be used to improve the microstructure and wear resistance of this composite coating, and Ti3CuN/Ti2Cu/CuAl were produced. Due to the action of Cu, the crystals had enough time to grow up, and the wear volume loss of the composite coating was approximately 7-8 times less than that of the Ti-6Al-4V substrate. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.