2124 Al-SiCp composites have been compacted by axisymmetric and one-dimensional underwater shock consolidation. The thickness of explosive pad was up to 21.5 mm in axisymmetric explosive compaction and the thickness of water layer was up to 10 mm in one-dimensional underwater shock consolidation. The variation in the microstructure across the cross-section of these compacts produced by both the methods have been studied. The compacts produced by both the methods have been heat-treated and the microstructure and hardness have been reported.