Superalloy eutectics strengthened with monocarbide whiskers are highly anisotropic in strength. Mechanical behavior transverse to the growth axis is governed largely by the fracture resistance of the matrix grain boundaries. While the matrices of these eutectics are essentially columnar grained superalloys, there are significant differences between d.s. superalloys and superalloy-monocarbide eutectics. These differences arise, in part from different solidification processes and from the alloying limitations in eutectic systems.