7%e present overview foclcses on selfpropagating hrgh-temperature synthesis PHs)
of powders for the standardprocessing of ceramics by sintering or hot-pressing. An impact of
SHS on ceramic materials technology depends largely on its capability to produce powders that
have a densrjicaiion behaviour comparable to or better than the conventionally produced ones.
The paper points to the fac~ thd substitution of the conventional powders by the SXS-derived
ones results in higher density and more homogeneous microstructure, at least with nitride and
carbide powders that are notoriow for their bad sinlerabilty. 27zefirstpart of the paper deals
with the general features of SHS. The speclfc mechanism of SHS reactions is the object of the
second part of the paper. Part three of the paper presents the sintering characteristics of
powders produced by SHS in the Si-C-B, Si-h? Si-Al-0-N, and Ti-C-Si systems.