High-energy planetary ball mill was applied to fabricate W particle reinforced composite layer in the surface of pure copper substrate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and micro-hardness test technique were used to investigate the microstructure and mechanical properties of the coatings prepared at different milling time, and then the mechanism of the formation of the coatings were studied. The results showed that the thickness of the particle reinforced layer reached the maximum within a certain milling time at the selected milling parameters. However, the bongding between reinforcing particles and substrate could be enhanced through appropriate extension of milling duration, which would simultaneously facilitate the densification in the composite layer.