In the present investigation, various powders are shock compressed by underwater shock waves generated by the detonation of an explosive. Underwater shock synthesis using explosives offers unlimited potential in the other wise difficult - to - synthesis metal powders. Metal matrix composites and composites of intermetallics, offering extra strength, stiffness and higher temperature capabilities in comparison to the conventional materials, are fabricated. The shock synthesis of composites of aluminum, titanium and titanium based intermetallics is addressed to in this paper. An experimental set - up, consisting of explosives, water column and powder parts, is employed for the present investigation. The explosive is detonated through an explosive lens to obtain a plannar shock wave to ensure uniform consolidation. The shock waves propagating through the water medium can be controlled by the manipulation of the height of water column. This method is a one dimensional shock transmission technique and can be used for obtaining relatively low underwater shock pressure at 8 - 13 GPa. The synthesized compacts are subjected to microanalysis and the effects on intra - particle deformation, inter - particle interaction, fracture, and material configurational changes are discussed.