TiCxN1-x-TiB2 ceramic composites were prepared by combustion synthesis in a high-gravity field in air. The high-gravity field caused no change in phase composition but resulted in reduced delamination and grain refinement in the microstructure of the products. In a high-gravity field of 100g, well-developed faceted grains with a narrow size distribution were obtained. It is proposed that the combustion reaction happened by a pulsating combustion mode and the pulsating period was prolonged by the high-gravity field. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.