<p>In order to improve the service life of copper alloy propeller, four Ni45 composite coatings with 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% WC particles were prepared on the surface of copper alloy propeller by laser cladding technology. The microstructure and properties have been investigated by XRD, SEM, EDS and friction and wear tester. The results indicate that the coatings primarily consist of γ-(Fe, Ni) solid solution, Cr_0.09Fe_0.7Ni_0.21, Ni₃B₂, Ni₁₄W₄ and carbides (M₂₃C₆, M₇C₃ and WC). The microstructure mainly consists of cellular grains, dendritic grains and hard-phase particles, which increase along with the increase in WC particles. The average values of four coatings’ microhardness are 782, 875, 1091 and 986 HV_0.5, respectively. When the WC content is 15%, the average microhardness has a maximum value of 1091 HV_0.5. The wear rates of four coatings are 4.9 × 10^–5, 4.2 × 10^–5, 3.9 × 10^–5 and 8.9 × 10^–5 mm³·N⁻¹·min⁻¹, respectively. The coating of 15% WC has a minimum wear rate. When the WC content was 20%, its corrosion current density is the minimum (3.865 × 10^–6 A·cm⁻²) and corrosion potential is the maximum (− 0.127 V), which has a good corrosion resistance. Therefore, when the WC content is maintained within 15–20%, the wear and corrosion resistance of the coating are synergistically enhanced.</p>