Reaction of ZrC with Pd at temperatures up to 1500 degrees C was examined using ZrC/Pd composite, Pd/ZrC-coated TRISO particles, and Pd/ZrC bulk diffusion couples experiments. Intermetallic phase (Pd3Zr) and amorphous carbon at the ZrC-Pd interfaces were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Moreover, thicknesses of Pd3Zr layers were measured by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The validity of the reaction was proved by thermodynamic calculation. The reaction kinetics parameters, i.e., the activation energy (208.2-266.5 kJ/mol) and the reaction order (3.38-3.78) for Pd attacking through a ZrC coating in TRISO particles were determined based on both the DSC curves and the growth of the Pd3Zr layer.