Abstract <p>A self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) method has been used to obtain the composite materials based on TiC–NiCr–W. The influence of adding 5 and 10 wt % tungsten on the temperature and combustion rate, as well as on the phase composition and structure of the synthesized material, has been experimentally studied. It has been found that an increase in the weight content of tungsten in an initial charge blank results in a decrease in the temperature and combustion rate. It has been shown that the dependence of these parameters on the relative density of the blank is extreme; for each composition, an optimum value has been found. It has been established that the synthesized material without the introduction of tungsten consists of a strengthening TiC phase and an intermetallic Cr_1.12Ni_2.88 matrix. The introduction of tungsten into the initial charge contributes to the additional formation of the complex (Ti_0.5W_0.5)C tungsten carbide. Based on the obtained results, a flow diagram of the chemical process in the SHS mode has been presented. It has been found that a decrease in the temperature and combustion rate results in a decrease in the size of a TiC carbide grain in the synthesized material.</p>