Homogeneous single-phase hypo-stoichiometric carbide TiCx of titanium with known stoichiometric ratio x(0.50,0.625,0.75,0.85,0.90 and 1.0) was prepared from mixed powders of Ti metal and graphite through 30 min solar heating in inert Ar atmosphere and characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), density p and Vickers microhardness Hv. In spite of short radiation period at relatively low temperature (no higher than 1600degreesC), formed TiCx specimens were all with relatively high degree of crystallinity judging from good separation between Kalpha1 and Kalpha2 peaks of XRD patterns at high (hkl) index. Measured density of prepared TiCx powders was practically identical to the calculated value from the measured lattice parameter for respective x implying that f.c.c. (face centred cubic) Ti lattice was with no defect and 100x% of the O-sites (octahedral interstitial sites) were filled with C atoms leaving the rest 100(1 - x)% of O-sites vacant. Reflecting polycrystalline nature of the prepared TiCx compact, measured Hv scattered over range of +/-400 around 1100. Application of 50 h heat treatment at 600 degreesC appeared to realise C atoms ordering re-configuration over O-sites leading to slight extent of tetragonal distortion for TiCx specimens with x = 0.50 and 0.625. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.