Selfpropagating high temperature synthesis of ceramic materials

Selfpropagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) or combustion synthesis is a process which utilises highly exothermic reactions to fabricate ceramic materials. Thermodynamic modelling of the SHS process and attempts to control the reaction rate by changing reactant particle size, addition of diluents, and reactant preheating are reviewed. A wide variety of ceramic materials can be produced by SHS, and the conditions necessary simultaneously to synthesize and densify SHS materials are discussed. © 1997 The Institute of Materials.