The cyclic hydrogen absorption - desorption characteristics of TiCrV and Ti0.8Cr1.2V alloys are investigated. Experimental results show that the cyclic hydrogen capacity increases with increasing hydrogen-desorption temperature for both TiCrV and Ti0.8Cr1.2 V alloys. The Ti0.8Cr1.2V and TiCrV alloys can maintain steady cyclic hydrogen capacities of about 2.5 wt% and 2.0wt%, respectively, even after 15 cycles with hydrogen absorption at 25 degrees C and hydrogen desorption at 400 degrees C. The hydrogenation for both TiCrV and Ti0.8Cr1.2V alloys includes the processes of first saturated solid-solution and then forming TiCr1.8H5.3 and TiH2 hydrides. The TiCr1.8H5.3 hydride has better reversibility than TiH2 hydride during the hydrogen absorption - desorption. (c) 2007 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.