The ignition phenomena and the reaction mechanism of the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction of titanium and carbon powders were experimentally investigated. When using coarse graphite powders (< 325 mesh) as the carbon source, the ignition temperature ranged from 1650-1720 degrees C and was independent of the C/Ti ratio. The ignition temperature could be significantly lowered by using finer graphite powders (e.g. 1400 degrees C for < 1 gamma m powder). When using carbon black as the carbon source, the ignition temperature ranged from 1050-1475 degrees C and was dependent on the C/Ti ratio. The ignition was confirmed in this study to be controlled by the rate of the surface reaction between titanium and carbon which, in turn, was determined by the contact surface area between them. The fractured surfaces of the products showed two different types of morphology, i.e. groups of grains similar to sintered bodies and agglomerated fine particles. The relative quantities of the two types of morphology depended on the type of carbon used, the C/Ti ratio, the particle size of graphite and the density of the reactant pellet. Possible reaction mechanisms have been proposed on the basis of the experimental observations of the ignition phenomena and the product morphology.