Plasma cladding process was used to prepare the TiC/Ni composite coating on the mild steel substrates. The TiC particles were synthesized in-situ. Microstructure and properties of the coating were investigated by optical microscopy, X-Ray diffraction, SEM, TEM and microhardness tester. The results show that the interface between the coating and the substrate is metallurgically bonded. The coating was uniform and almost defect-free when [Ti+C] varied from 10% to 20% after ball milling. The microstructure of the coating is mainly composed of γ-Ni dendrite,interdendritic eutectic (γ-Ni austenite, M23C6 and CrB) and TiC particles. Most of the TiC particles are spherical and a small fraction is blocky in size of 1 ～2μm. The TiC particles are smaller at the bottom than near the top of the coating.The coating has a gradient microstructure and a highest hardness of 1000Hv0.1.