Laser surface modification of brass with an alloy-ceramic composite powder Ni-Cr-Fe-WC was studied using a two-step process, with powder preplacement followed by laser irradiation. For preplaced coatings of a few 100 mum thick, successfully cladding/alloying 2 was achieved at a laser (CW Nd:YAG) energy density in the range 60-100 J/mm(2). Under proper processing conditions, the cavitation erosion resistance was increased by a factor of 9.1 This large increase was attributed to the formation of a Ni-rich matrix reinforced by precipitated carbides and tightly bound WC particles. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.