The hard composite preparation method based on hot pressing and sintering was adopted

and rare earth oxide CeO

2

powder and the grain growth inhibitor VC powder were induced into the graphene-contained WC-Al

2

O

3

composite powders to prepare a new type of composites. The phase composition

microscopic morphology

densification process and mechanical properties were investigated. The results indicate that the addition of CeO

2

（0.1%） and VC（0.3%） results in the increase of the composite density from 95.536% to 98.059% and 97.256%

respectively. The brittle phase W

2

C in the sintered specimen is reduced with mechanical property improvement. CeO

2

（0.1%） has a great effect on the fracture toughness

which is increased by 26.25%. Grains in composites are fine

round and smooth without abnormal growth

VC（0.3%） has a significant effect on the hardness. The Vickers hardness is increased by 21.06% compared to the original one with the smallest grain size and incomplete fusion

where a small number of pores exist between some grains. Synchronous addition of CeO

2

（0.1%） and VC（0.3%） leads to the dissolution of large amounts of Ce and V into the crystals

which promotes the vacancy generation

accelarate the transfer of substance and the growth of crystal grains

and reduces refinement effect. Meanwhile

more gas generated by the reaction is harmful to material densification.