Mechanical milling (MM) has been adopted to develop Cr2Nb intermetallic precursor, required for the processing of Cu-Cr-Nb alloy. Process parameters have been optimized through particle characterisation of powders produced by different milling time and conditions. It has been observed that particle morphology and size change with milling time. A milling time of 15 h, followed by annealing at 1400 degrees C has been found to be optimum condition to result pure Cr2Nb powders with desired properties. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.