Ultrafine metal carbide or metal boride particles are consolidated by a method including sintering at intermediate pressures. A green body comprising the ultrafine metal carbide or metal boride particles may be preheated under vacuum and then pressurized to the intermediate sintering pressure. After sintering, the article may be densified at an intermediate temperature below the sintering temperature, and at an elevated pressure above the intermediate sintering temperature. The resultant consolidated metal carbide or metal boride article may then be cooled and used for such applications as armor panels, abrasion resistant nozzles, and the like.