The present investigation deals with the synthesis of nanocrystalline titanium powders by the high energy attrition milling of micron sized titanium powder in an inert atmosphere. Titanium powders of about 12 pm particle size were subjected to high energy attrition milling in an argon atmosphere. Selecting suitable milling parameters, nanosize (< 100 nm) titanium powders were obtained after 15 h of milling. An average particle size of 35 nm was obtained at 30 It of milling after which the particle size stabilized with continuation of milling to 75 h. The powders after milling for various durations were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, ICP-AES and DTA and these results are reported and discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.