An analysis of the use of temperature profiles in the determination of the kinetic parameters of self‐sustaining combustion synthesis is provided. Two mathematical approaches are discussed. In the first approach, the analysis focuses on the initial portion of the temperature profile and thus emphasizes the kinetics of the initial stages (η≲ 1.0) of this process. The second approach emphasizes both the initial and final stages of the process (η∼ 1.0). With the simultaneous measurements of the velocity of the combustion wave, temperature profile analysis provides values for the effective thermal diffusivity of the re