A mathematical model is developed to investigate the effect of thermal conductivity on the combustion synthesis of intermetallics. The governing equations are solved using a high-order-implicit numerical scheme capable of accommodating the steep spatial and temporal gradients of properties. A parametric study is then performed to elucidate reaction characteristics (propagation type, steady-state propagation velocity, peak temperature, etc.) in terms of the thermal conductivity ratio, k = k(p)/k(r). The predicted results appear plausible and consistent with the trends presented in the available literature. (c) 2006 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.