Gd5(SixGe1-x)4 compounds undergo first-order phase transitions close to room temperature when x ~ = 0.5, which are accompanied by extreme changes of properties. We report the fabrication of the nanoparticles of one of the parent compounds-Gd5Si4-using high-energy ball milling. Crystal structure, microstructure, and magnetic properties have been investigated. Particles agglomerate at long milling times, and the particles that are milled >20 min lose crystallinity and no longer undergo magnetic phase transition close to 340 K, which is present in a bulk material. The samples milled for >20 min exhibit a slightly increased coercivity. Magnetization at a high temperature of 275 K decreases with the increase in the milling time. This article has been accepted for publication in a future issue of this journal, but has not been fully edited. Content may change prior to final publication. 1-x ) 4 compounds undergo first order phase transitions close to room temperature when x 0.5, which are accompanied by extreme changes of properties. We report the fabrication of nanoparticles of one of the parent compounds -Gd 5 Si 4 -using high energy ball milling. Crystal structure, microstructure and magnetic properties have been investigated. Particles agglomerate at long milling times and the particles that are milled longer than 20 min lose crystallinity and no longer undergo magnetic phase transition close to 340 K, which is present in a bulk material. Samples milled for more than 20 min exhibit a slightly increased coercivity. Magnetization at a high temperature of 275K decreases with increase in milling time.