Comparative studies of the influence of carbon allotropic form on the formation of the structural-phase composition of copper-based composites have been performed by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray and Thermal analysis and Raman spectroscopy. It has been stated that the kinetics of solid state reactions in the systems Cu-C-60/70 and Cu-C-g obtained in process of mechanosynthesis depend on deformational stability and oxidation-reduction properties of fullerite and graphite. It has been shown that partial destruction of fullerene molecules in the Cu-C-60/70 sample results in the formation of an amorphous fullerite-like phase, copper oxide Cu2O, and supersaturated solid solution Cu(C, O). Total destruction of fullerene molecules in the system Cu-C-60/70 results in the formation of supersaturated solid solution Cu(C), just like in the case of the composite Cu-C-g. (C) 2017 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.