In order for high properties of graphite/copper composites, resin carbon-coated graphite/copper composites were fabricated using phenolic resin-coated graphite, electrolytic copper and silica as raw materials via a traditional powder metallurgy method. The difference in the microstructures and properties of the fabricated composites, natural graphite/copper composites and copper-coated graphite/copper composites was researched. The results indicate that the structure of graphite can be protected through phenolic resin. Phenolic resin can reduce the oxide layer on the Cu powder surfaces. The reduced Cu can accelerate the elements' diffusion and sintering between the Cu particles and increase the sintering densification of the Cu matrix. Compare to those of the natural graphite/copper composites, the conductivity, mechanical and tribological properties of the resin carbon-coated graphite/copper composites improve. The electrical conductivity, flexural strength and hardness are 9.87 MS•m-1, 81 MPa and 220 MPa, respectively, which are equivalent to those of copper-coated graphite/copper composites. Besides, tribological properties of the resin carbon-coated graphite/copper composites are slightly better than those of copper-coated graphite/copper composites. © 2019, Science Press. All right reserved.