Phase boundaries in the LaNi 5 -D system determined by in situ neutron diffraction experiments have shown good agreement with those predicted from the LaNi 5 -D pressure-composition phase diagram by intersecting extrapolated pressure plateaux and pure phase isotherms. Lattice parameter measurements show strong dilational strain in the α phase and severe compressive strain in the β phase in the two-phase region. In addition, there are systematic changes in linewidths in the two-phase region. Taken together, these provide strong evidence that the partially hydrided powder is microscopically inhomogeneous, i.e. individual micron-sized particles contain coexisting nanoscale α and β phase domains. The alternative model, consisting of a mixture of particles which are wholly α and particles which are wholly β phase, is not supported by these data. We observed hysteresis in the lattice parameters of the β phase and the linewidths of the α phase in the two-phase region, implying a fundamental asymmetry in the D absorption and desorption mechanisms.