The MA-SPS (mechanical alloying followed by spark plasma sintering) process was adopted to further improve the high temperature properties of a newly developed 36Cr white cast iron (a eutectic Fe-36Cr-9Ni-5Mo-0.45Si-2.2C alloy). α-Al₂O₃ powder with a mean diameter of 0.4μm was used as reinforcement for the MA material, and the volume fractions of Al₂O₃ in the composites were 10% and 30%. The results show that the microstructures of the MA materials were greatly refined compared to those of the conventionally solidified ingot and that their high temperature hardness and high temperature abrasive resistance were considerably improved. Also found was that the increase in the volume fraction of the Al₂O₃ powder increased both the hardness and the abrasive resistance of the composite materials.