Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are promising materials characterized by gradual transitions either in composition, or in microstructure, or in density. Additive manufacturing can be used to enhance the potential of these materials. An analysis of existing studies of FGMs obtained by selective laser melting (SLM) shows that the research on the effect of changing the number of particles on the structure and properties is poorly represented. Studies of composite FGMs with a large number of reinforcing particles, especially using high-heating equipment, are limited. The aim of this work is to study composite samples of VZh159 + WC, the compositions of which can be used to manufacture FGMs by SLM. To achieve this goal, defects, microstructure, chemical and phase compositions, as well as hardness in composite samples have been investigated. An important aspect of this work is to investigate the possibility of obtaining FGMs from metals with a high content of reinforcing particles using high-temperature heating by SLM method. It was found that after the manufacture of composite samples by SLM method, undissolved WC particles and pores in the granules of this material are visible in them, there are no other defects. When the WC content in the composite materials increases, there is a change in the microstructure – an increase in the number of WC dendrites in the composite matrix. In the samples of VZh159 + 20% WC in the matrix, a certain amount of W is observed, which could get there from the disintegrated WC granules. It was found that with the increase in the amount of WC in composite samples, the microhardness of the matrix increases and reaches 1122.9 HV at 80% WC.