Abstract: Carbide ceramic materials, such as powders, single crystals, porous materials and dense materials produced by self-propagation high-temperature synthesis (SHS) are described. The emphasis is placed on controlling the SHS reaction parameters as a mean of controlling the microstructure and properties of the synthesized materials The application of SHS to the synthesis and control of a selection of advanced materials is demonstrated (i. e. catalyst carriers, foam ceramic filters,coarse TiC abrasives, and Si-SiC composites). The phase control of the products in multicomponent SHS system is discussed for the syntheais of Ti₃SiC₂ ceramics. In addition, the improvement of the sinterability of SHS SiC powders with BxC additions is also demonstrated.