Tantalum carbide (TaC) particles reinforced titanium composites were prepared by sparking plasma sintering (SPS). Microstructure and mechanical properties were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and electron probe. The results show that densified TaC/Ti composite can be obtained when sintering above 800 ℃ by SPS. The hardness and strength of titanium can be significantly improved by adding TaC. The hardness of samples with 5%TaC addition are higher than 500 MPa and the bending strength are higher than 600 MPa. The original TaC was consumed owing to solid phase diffusion and reaction in the sintering process;. A new phase of (Ti, Ta)C1-x carbide was formed, which distributed uniformly around titanium matrix. The tantalum has been found in titanium matrix, which means solid solution is formed. The great improvement of the composite strength is associated with phase strengthening and solution strengthening mechanism