Synthesis of nanocrystalline TiC reinforced W nanocomposites by high-energy mechanical alloying: Microstructural evolution and its mechanism

► TiC/W nanocomposites were prepared by high-energy mechanical alloying from micrometer-scaled feedstock. ► Nanocrystalline W matrix and nanoscale TiC reinforcing particles were simultaneously formed. ► Interesting evolutions of phase and microstructure of the nanocomposites were disclosed. ► Predominant mechanisms behind the microstructural development were elucidated.