Abstract: Surface modifying layer was prepared on grey cast iron by laser cladding so as to improve the wear resistance of the cast iron. Thus the cast iron with Ni based covering electrodes was performed for laser cladding, using a mixture consisting of C, Ni, Ti, Co, RE and slag forming powders as the covering material. The laser cladding layer of different compositions were obtained by adjust of the compositions of the electrodes, while the effect of the composition on the wear resistance of the cladding layers was investigated as well. It was found that hard TiC particles were generated and segregated in the cladding layers, which contributed to increase the wear resistance of the cladding layers. This accounts for the great dependence of the wear resistance of the laser cladding layer on the composition.