Planar shock-wave compaction (SWC), at a peak pressure of similar to 15 GPa, was used to fabricate 90% dense carbon nanotube-reinforced-Cu composite (SWC-CNT/Cu). Transmission electron microscopy analysis of SWC-CNT/Cu revealed retention of nanoscale size Cu grains, and the presence of shear bands and homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in the Cu matrix. These findings explain the significantly enhanced hardness observed. A Vickers hardness and nanoindentation test for SWC-CNT/Cu indicated enhanced microhardness of 1190 and 1794 MPa, respectively, proving the efficiency of the SWC technique. (C) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.