Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS), or the so-called micropyretic/combustion synthesis, is a technique whereby a material is synthesized by the propagation of a combustion front across a powder. Heterogeneous distributions of porosities are common during self-propagating high-temperature synthesis when powders are pressed and the conventional modeling treatments thus far have only considered uniform systems. Heterogeneities in the porosity are thought to result in local variations of such thermophysical/chemical parameters for the reactants as density and thermal conductivity further changing the combustion temperature, the propagation velocity, and the propagation pattern of a combustion front. This study investigates the impact of porosity variations during self-propagating high-temperature synthesis with Ti + 2B. In addition, the simulations for the propagation of combustion fronts across a non-uniform compact where the porosity is monotonically decreased or increased along the specimens due to die wall friction are also carried out. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.