The　heterogeneous　interactions　between　the　pre-existing　thermal　residual　stress　and　external　compression　in　the　WC-Co　cemented　carbide　are　investigated,　where　the　microstructural　characteristics　are　taken　into　account　simultaneously.　A　new　method　for　creating　three-dimensional　finite　element　model　based　on　real　microstructure　of　the　cemented　carbides　was　proposed.　The　deformation　behavior　of　the　as-sintered　cemented　carbide　was　quantified　and　demonstrated　in　detail.　The　results　indicate　that　among　the　heterogeneous　distribution　of　strain　responses　in　the　dual-phase　microstructure　during　compressive　loading,　the　layer-like　metal　binder　distributing　in　the　transverse　cross-section　with　respect　to　the　direction　of　compression　has　the　earliest　strain　response.　The　microcracks　may　preferentially　nucleate　at　these　regions　due　to　the　largest　accumulation　of　plastic　deformation.　It　is　suggested　that　the　activation　sequence　of　dislocation　slip　systems　in　the　metal　binder　can　be　changed　by　the　anisotropic　distribution　of　stress.