Abstract: A process for producing a composite material of titanium carbide, titanium nitride, or tungsten carbide and metal or a metal alloy such as iron or steel or an alloy comprises blending together precursor materials including a titanium or tungsten source, a source of carbon, and a metal or a metal alloy and heating the precursor materials in a vacuum or an inert atmosphere or a nitrogen containing atmosphere to a temperature effective to form TiC, TiN or WC, to thereby form a material comprising particles of TiC, TiN or WC substantially encapsulated in a matrix of metal or metal alloy.