AbstractComposites of three different tungsten carbide powders and two matrix alloys of the Co–Cr–C and Ni–B–Si type were cladded on to mild steel using a 6kW CO2laser. The effects of parameter variation, such as volume fraction of carbides within the matrix, beam intensity, and traverse speed on the coatings' morphology were investigated. Coatings with up to 40 vol.-% unmelted carbides, excellent bonding, and without cracks were obtained. This study has confirmed that, in the area of applying composite materials, laser powder cladding is technologically superior to conventional deposition welding using filler wire.MST/3409