Effects of cyclic pressure on ambient temperature consolidation of composite powders were investigated. Pb-TiO 2 , Pb-SiC, Al-Al 2 O 3 and Zn-Al 2 O 3 , each with 40vol% ceramic, were used. Cyclic and static pressing are compared. Cyclic pressures are reported to enhance densification. This is attributed to pressure changes inducing plastic deformation due to mis-match of elastic strains between metal and ceramic. The significance is discussed.