The passivation and oxidation process of tungsten and molybdenum narlopowders, produced by electrical explosion of wires was studied by means of FE-SEM, XPS. XRD, TEM, DIA-TGA and sire distribution analysis. In addition, the phase transformation of W and Mo nanopowders under oxidation in air was investigated. A chemical process is suggested for the oxidation of W and Mo nano-particles after a comprehensive testing of passivated and oxidized powders.