In order to improve the distribution of metal phase in the 17Ni-(10NiO-NiFe2O4) cermet, 17(xCo-Ni)-(10NiO-NiFe2O4) cermet were prepared by vacuum sintering method using Co-Ni instead of Ni as the metal phase. And the effects of Co content on the phase composition, microstructure, relative density and mechanical properties of the cermet were investigated. The results show that the cermet is composed of Co-Ni, NiFe2O4 and NiO, a part of Co reacts with ceramic matrix to form CoO and Fe2O3. The proper addition of Co can significantly improve the distribution and morphology of the metal phase, the agglomerate isolated metal phases can distribute uniformly and a part of spherical metal phases can change to elongated metal phases. Moreover, the proper addition of Co can promote sintering and increase the density of sample. Co addition can refine the grain size and greatly increase the strength and the toughness of cermet. When the mass fraction of Co in metal phase is 20%, the combination properties of sample are the best. The density, bending strength, fracture toughness and hardness are 96.87%, 163.65 MPa, 8.38 MPa/m1/2 and 820.81 HV, respectively. ©, 2015, Central South University of Technology. All right reserved.