Thermal desorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction experiments show that ball-milling of LiAlD4 in presence of VCl3 or TiCl3 (.) 1/3(AlCl3) can reduce its thermal decomposition temperatures by 60 and 50degreesC, respectively. However, some partial decomposition of LiAlD4 into Li-3 AlD6, Al and D-2 occurs during the mechanical processing: 80% for TiCl(3)(.)1/3(AlCl3), 40% for VCl3. LiCl is formed during the ball-milling, this suggests the reduction of the additives by LiAlD4. The localisations of Ti or V atoms are not yet determined. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.