The mechanism of the self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) processing in the Cu-Ti-C system was investigated. The reaction sequence and mechanism were explored using combustion front quenching method. The SHS reaction in the Cu-Ti-C system starts with the solid diffusion reaction between Cu and Ti particles, subsequently, the Cu Ti liquid forms and spreads over C particles. The C particles dissolve into the Cu-Ti liquid, leading to the formation of the Cu-Ti-C ternary liquid, as a result, TiC particulates are gradually precipitated out of the liquid. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.