The synthesis of in situ formed TiC-Al composites utilizing the reaction between molten aluminum and preforms consisting of Ti, C and Al powders was studied. Whisker-shaped Ti3AlC2 as an intermediate phase was clearly observed in the in situ TiC-Al composite fabricated by the combustion-wave arresting technique. It was the first time to observe Ti3AlC2 with the whisker shape during the reaction sequences of the Ti-C-Al system. In addition, the formation mechanism of Ti3AlC2 was suggested in this study. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.