Self propagating synthesis and thermal explosion of combustion reactions were applied to Al/K2Cr2O7/Al2O3 system as the first stage for a production of magnesia-chromium refractory. Several factors related to products made by two combustion reactions were considered and properties of products were characterised. Two processes were required to preheat upto at least 80$0^{circ}C$ for the thermal explosion and the self propagating synthesis. These processes were so violent and explosive that alumina as diluent was added to the system in order to absorb the reaction heat and reduce the reaction rate. The products consisted of crystal phases of KAl5O8, Cr2O3, Al2O3, K2CrO4, and K2Al2O4.3H2O. The amount of KAl5O8 and K2Al2O4.3H2O crystal phases of products were decreased with further addition of alumina.