An　in-situ　reaction　strategy　to　synthesize　W-Cu　based　nanocomposite　co-doped　with　Cr　and　WC　was　proposed,　and　the　resultant　multicomponent　nanocrystalline　bulk　has　a　homogeneous　distribution　of　various　phases.　As　compared　to　the　conventional　coarse-grained　W-Cu　composite,　the　prepared　nanocrystalline　W-Cu　based　composite　exhibits　fourfold　hardness　and　twofold　wear　resistance.　The　enhancement　of　the　wear　resistance　is　attributed　to　the　restricted　formation　and　delamination　of　the　mechanically　mixed　layer　and　the　increased　strain　gradient　induced　by　the　hard　phases　on　the　worn　surface.　The　formation　of　the　refined　nanostructure　with　well-aligned　crystallographic　orientation　relationship　results　in　significant　hardening　of　the　worn　surface.　The　present　work　opens　up　new　opportunities　to　achieve　superior　hardness　and　wear　resistance　of　metal　matrix　composites　based　on　design　and　fabrication　of　multicomponent　nanostructures.　(C)　2021　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.