A　functionally　gradient　TiC/Ni　alloy　composite　coating　was　produced　by　one　step　laser　cladding　with　pre-placed　mixture　powder　on　1045　steel　substrate.　The　clad　layer　consists　of　TiC　particles,　γ-Ni　primary　dendrites　and　interdendritic　eutectics.　From　the　bottom　to　the　top　of　the　clad　layer,　TiC　particles　exhibit　a　continuous　increase　both　in　size　(from　0.8　μm　to　4.5　μm)　and　in　volume　fraction　(from　4%　to　33%),　and　their　morphology　changes　correspondingly　from　small　globe　to　coarse　flower-like　cluster.　The　rapid　coarsening　of　TiC　clusters　during　the　solidification　of　laser　pool　results　from　the　collision　and　sintering　of　particles.　The　preferential　engulfing　to　a　small　cluster　moving　at　slower　speed　by　liquid/solid　front　leads　to　in-situ　formation　of　the　gradient　structure　of　the　coating.