Methods of scanning electron microscopy with an X ray probe, Raman spectroscopy, and ther mogravimetry are used to study the morphology and composition of metal oxide nanocomposites obtained by intense plastic deformation of iron powder and the further annealing in the TGA mode. It is shown that high temperature annealing of activated powder deformation results in the formation of "hematite wood"a layer of "nanoflakes" and "nanoleaves" growing vertically on the composite surface. In addition to its intrinsic functional (sensor, catalytic, semiconductor, adsorption) properties, this structure possesses pro nounced primer properties for further formation of protective surface layers.