Facile synthesis of Nb-Al alloy powders via sodiothermic reduction in molten salts

► Nb-Al powders were synthesized using Nb2O5 and Al2O3 as raw materials. ► Homogeneity of composites was investigated by mechanical ball-milling process. ► Nb-Al powders were also prepared using Na2NbAlO5 as raw materials. ► The obtained Nb-Al intermetallic powders were systematically characterized. ► These two different routes were compared for synthesis of Nb-Al powders.