Heavy metals (HMs) immobilization in sewage sludge was investigated by using subcritical water technology (SCWT) in this study. The characteristics of sludge and toxicity of HMs were analyzed after SCWT process. The results showed that besides large reduction in sludge volume, SCWT had some positive effect on HMs dissolution into liquid phase, while the majority of HMs was still accumulated in solid phase. The direct toxicity and bioavailability of HMs in sludge was greatly decreased with no toxicity fractions of HMs highly increased. Pb was always at low risk level and the risk of other HMs was greatly reduced from low risk to no risk after SCWT treatment. Moreover, the leaching toxicity of HMs declined after SCWT and the best result was obtained at 280 degrees C with the metal concentrations in leachate decreased by 97.46%, 93.91%, 86.14%, 73.67%, 71.93% and 10.71% for Cu, Cd, Zn, Cr, Ni and Pb, respectively. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.