Formation of (Ti,W)C in the presence of copper as the matrix material has been investigated, using the combustion synthesis technique. The mechanism of carbide formation in Cu and Ni matrix was explained. XRD analysis and lattice parameter measurements show that in the presence of copper compared with nickel, less tungsten contributes in the SHS reactions. This was found to be due the significant difference between the solubility of tungsten in copper and nickel. It was concluded that the mechanism of carbide formation in Cu or Ni matrix is dissolution precipitation mechanism. When nickel is used as the matrix, in a wide range of W/Ti ratio, (W,Ti)C is formed while in the presence of copper, the carbide phase consist TiC, WC, (Ti,W)C, and W2C.