A novel process for the manufacture of dense titanium carbide is described. Titanium carbide is produced by the reaction synthesis method, while densification and near‐net shaping is accomplished by a high‐velocity forging step. Disks with 10‐cm diameter were produced with densities over 96% of the theoretical density. The major problem encountered in this study has been thermal shock. Use of insulation and furnace cooling has decreased the severity of this problem. Optical and scanning electron microscopy observations of the resulting microstructure reveal equiaxed grains with an average size of 44μm. Quasi‐static and high‐strain‐rate compressive strength measurements yield values greater than 1.7 and 2.2 GPa, respectively. The morphologies of thermally induced (slow) and rapidly propagating cracks were characterized and the fracture modes were found to be intergranular and transgranular, respectively. The addition of Ni (5 and 25 wt%) yielded a ceramic–metal composite with a favorable