A detailed picture is presented of the physical and chemical phenomena that affect the behavior of cobalt-base superalloys. Solid-solution strengthening is obtained from the high-melting metallic elements molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, and columbium. These elements also participate in precipitation reactions involving their carbides. Precipitation of intermetallic compounds such as Ni3Ti is an important process in cobalt alloys containing appreciable amounts of nickel and titanium. The relationships among microstructure, heat treatment, and mechanical properties of the important commercial alloys are considered, and whenever possible, explained on the basis of the physical and chem cal processes that occur. (Author).