In order to solve the heat equation which describes self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) of refractory materials, a set of experiments have been performed to measure the enthalpy of reaction which accompanies the formation of titanium carbide in direct powder reactions. In air, the measured value is -139 +/- 6 kJ mol(-1), whereas in argon it becomes -129 +/- 6 kJ mol(-1) and can then be assimilated with the enthalpy of formation of TiC. These data are in fair agreement with some previously published results and lead to a calculated adiabatic temperature of 2900 +/- 100 K.