In this paper we report the effect of air exposure on TiFe + 4% Zr alloy and how the hydrogen capacity could be recovered by processing the alloy by cold rolling and ball milling. It has been noted that the alloy could not absorb hydrogen after 7 days of air exposure. To restore the hydrogenation capability of the alloy, it was mechanically treated using cold rolling and ball milling. It was found that the air exposed alloy could be hydrogenated after 30 min of ball milling under argon or after cold rolling. Effect of cold rolling and ball milling on first hydrogenation for pure TiFe alloy was also investigated. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.