Abstract: The WC-316L bulk gradient composite was fabricated by plasma arc additive manufacturing on Q235 steel with different proportions of WC and 316L stainless steel powders.From bottom to top of the bulk material, the proportion of WC powder gradually increases from 0 to 40%. And the microstructure and properties were analyzed by SEM, EDS, microhardness tester and wear tester.The results show that the structure and properties of the bulk material are different from bottom to top. The microstructure of the bottom layer is austenite matrix and reticular ferrite. With the addition of WC, the phases such as Fe₃W₃C, W₂C and WC appear.The WC particles melt partially, free W, C atoms react with the matrix elements to form carbides and the α-Fe reticular structure disappears.The hardness of the block material is not evenly distributed, but it shows an increasing trend generally from the bottom to the upper.The top of the material has average hardness up to 600 HV, showing good wear resistance.