The macrokinetics of SVS systems based on titanium carbide is examined. A highfrequency moving picture method is used that permits observation of the processes of reaction surface formation and chemical reaction. The combustion mechanism depends substantially on the specific surface of the carbon material being utilized. In the case of low-activity soot with the specific surface S = 10-20 m2/g stages in reaction surface formation and the principal chemical interaction are recorded. In the case of highly-active soot with S = 50-100 m2/g domains of capillary spreading of metals are not detected in the heating zone. Combustion wave propagation is limited here by the capillary spreading. Contradictory representations of the progress of physicochemical processes in the leading combustion wave zone are complicated somewhat at this time. Thus, it is mentioned in [I-4] that melting of particles of the easily fusible reagent (titanium) occurs in the heating zone and its capillary spreading over the surface of the infusible soot with parallel and series reaction and the formation of titanium carbide. Ether diffusion or capillary combustion modes are possible depending on the titanium particle size [2]. A new reaction mechanism using combustion of SVS systems of the type under consideration is proposed in [5]. Elementary processes that occur during fusion of metal-reagent particles on a graphite substrate are exposed by synchronized radiation methods on an x-ray diffractometer. The liquid component does not spread over the graphite surface. The melt at once forms intermediate products separating the reagents, and capillary spreading occurs over the "carpet" of primary products being spread, i..e, proceeds simultaneously with the exothermal reaction. The mechanism mentioned is carried over to real SVS-compositions and a deduction is made about the leading stage of combustion which is the formation of primary products in a thin near-surface layer of infusible reagent particles. This mechanism permits makeing the deduction that it is impossible to separate the stage by stage process of capillary spreading and the main chemical reaction.