A near-single-phase Ti3AlC2 ternary carbide was synthesized from 3Ti-1.1Al-1.8C powder blend, both by the wave propagation and thermal explosion (TE) modes of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis. The application of a moderate (28 MPa) pressure immediately after TE at 800degreesC (reactive forging) yielded a 95% dense material containing, in addition to Ti3AlC2, an appreciable amount of TiC1-x. By adjusting the starting composition, a 99% dense material containing up to 90 vol.% Ti3AlC2 was obtained. The material had a fine-layered microstructure with Ti3AlC2 grain size not exceeding 10 pro. The samples were readily machinable and had a high compressive strength of similar to800 MPa up to 700degreesC.