WC–Al 2 O 3 composite powder potentially could be synthesized through milling of WO 3 –C–2Al mixture. High temperature resulted from reduction of WO 3 by Al, activates the reduction reaction of WO 3 by C and brings about carbon deficiency in the system which consequently causes the formation of undesirable W 2 C phase. Hence, addition of excess amounts of C becomes necessary. The aim of the present study has been to find out some appropriate routes for the fabrication of WC–Al 2 O 3 composite powder from WO 3 –2Al–C mixtures in such a way that the formation of W 2 C is prevented. Results of high energy milling showed that the mode of reaction in WO 3 –2Al–C mixture is MSR (mechanically induced self-propagating reaction). In this system, evolution of CO gas and high value of C loss were evidences for the need of excess C. For samples produced via suggested routes, no CO evolution was observed and the amounts of total carbon were constant. These observations showed that the proposed routes have been capable of producing WC phase without the presence of W 2 C. Mechanism of the reactions in each route has been discussed.