The mechanochemical synthesis of pentatitanium trisilicide (Ti5Si3) by the ball-milling of elemental mixed powders using zirconia, stainless steel, and tungsten carbide milling media was performed. These reactions were mechanically induced self-propagating reactions. The induction period during the reaction using zirconia milling media was the shortest among these reactions. Because the thermal conductivity of zirconia is the lowest, it is assumed that the heat produced during milling using the zirconia milling media was effectively stored, and the ignition temperature was attained within the shortest time. The ignition temperature was estimated to be similar to 500 degreesC. The particle size of the Ti5Si3 obtained using the tungsten carbide milling media was the finest because of the induction time and specific gravity.