Solidification of a eutectic alloy from the melt produces composite materials, composed of two or more solid phases. Processing by directional solidification presents interesting and different properties when compared to the properties of its constituent phases. One or the ternary systems that has been little studied and exhibits eutectic reaction resulting in three intermetallic phases is the Nb-Al-Ni ternary system, which involves the NbAl3, Nb2Al and AlNbNi phases. Eutectic alloys from this system were processed in an are inching Furnace and in a Bridgman equipment for directional growth. The objective of the experiments was to determine the influence of growth parameters on the eutectic microstructure. The mechanical behavior of the composite was studied through microhardness testing and fracture toughness using Vickers indentation technique. Microstructural characterization and chemical compositions of the samples were investigated by using optical and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.