Abstract: The nickel-based composite surfacing layer was prepared on Q235 steel plate by plasma surfacing, and the effects of different contents of Y₂O₃ on the microstructure and performance of the nickel-based tungsten carbide surfacing layer were studied. The microstructure of the surfacing layer was analyzed by SEM and XRD, and the hardness and wear properties of the surfacing layer were tested by Vickers hardness tester and end-face high temperature friction and wear tester.The results indicate that the addition of Y₂O₃ makes carbide regularization in the surfacing layer, and it grows around with WC as the core. The main phase in the surfacing layer is γ-Ni (Fe), WC, W₂C, M₂₃C₆, M₆C, Cr₇C₃ and FeNi₃ phases. The microhardness of the surfacing layer added with 1.2%Y₂O₃ reaches the maximum value of 970 HV0.5, which is 283 HV0.5 higher than that of the surfacing layer without Y₂O₃.Under high temperature friction and wear conditions, the minimum wear amount is 2.8 mg, and the friction coefficient is about 0.32.At this time, the wear mechanism is slight abrasive wear.