Combustion synthesis to bond metal inserts to C-C composite surfaces

Method of joining a carbon-carbon composite piece 30 together with a metal insert 20, e.g. in the manufacture of aircraft brake discs 10. The method includes the steps of: providing a carbon-carbon composite piece 30 and a metal insert 20, wherein the metal insert 20 has a surface that is complementary to a surface of said carbon-carbon composite piece 30; providing a layer of a mixture of titanium powder and carbon powder on the first complementary mating surface; arranging the powder layer such that a second complementary mating surface is matched to the complementary mating surface, thereby forming a construct of the carbon-carbon composite piece 30, the powder layer, and the metal insert 20; placing the construct into a press and applying pressure to the construct to press together the carbon-carbon composite piece and the metal insert joined at their complementary surfaces; and applying an electrical current to the powder in the construct to initiate a metal-carbon reaction, thereby bonding the carbon-carbon composite piece 30 together the metal insert 20. The titanium powder particles may be from 25 to 100 microns in diameter, and the carbon powder (e.g., graphite particles) may be 0.1 to 1 microns in diameter.