The NaHCO3/red-mud (RM) composite powders were successfully prepared by the solvent-anti-solvent method for methane explosion suppression. The RM was used as a carrier, and the NaHCO3 was used as a loaded inhibitor. The NaHCO3/RM composite powders showed a special core-shell structure and excellent endothermic performance. The suppression properties of NaHCO3/RM composite for 9.5% CH4 explosion were tested in a 20 L spherical explosion vessel and a 5 L Perspex duct. The results showed that the NaHCO3/RM composite powders displayed a much better suppression property than the pure RM or NaHCO3 powders. The loading amount of NaHCO3 has an intensive influence on the inhibition property of NaHCO3/RM composite powders. The best loaded content of NaHCO3 is 35%. It exhibited significant inhibitory effect that the explosion max-pressure declined 44.9%, the max-pressure rise rate declined 963% and the pressure peak time delayed 366.7%, respectively. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.