Functionally graded WC-Co materials can be fabricated using electrophoretic deposition from a suspension of hard metal powder in acetone, with variable cobalt content. The deposits can be sintered to closed porosity at 1290 and 1340 degreesC. The cobalt gradient disappears if sintering is carried out at 1400 degreesC. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc.