The synthesis of nanostructured TiC-TiB2 by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) has been investigated by using carbon nanotubes as precursor materials in partial substitution of graphite according to the following reaction: 6Ti + B4C + (3-x)C + x CNT -> 4TiC + 2TiB(2). Different amounts of CNTs addition have been studied in order to achieve structural refinement of the SHS products. The CNT molar content was varied in order to define the optimal composition, which allows to obtain nanostructured TiC-TiB2 powders morphologically homogenous. The optimized composition has been chosen for the further densification step. The Pressure Assisted Fast Electric Sintering (PAFES) technique gave bulk composites with ultrafine grained microstructure. The mechanical characterization showed very high hardness and good fracture toughness values if compared to literature data. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.