The cobalt-base superalloys Haynes alloy No. 25 and Haynes alloy No. 188 and the nickel-base superalloy Inconel 625 show a pronounced ductility minimum at temperatures of 760 and 704/sup 0/C, respectively, in the solution-annealed condition. However, after prolonged (11,000 h) aging at 816/sup 0/C (1500/sup 0/F), copious precipitates form to completely reverse the behavior. These precipitates reduce tensile ductility drastically up to temperatures where the ductility dip is observed for the solution-annealed condition; then the brittle behavior from aging gives way to greatly enhanced ductility. This behavior in Haynes alloy No. 25 is examined in detail. Its tensile properties in the solution-annealed and 816/sup 0/C-aged conditions are correlated with mode of fracture and the amounts, identity, and morphology of the precipitates. The latter were assessed by optical and scanning electron metallography, microhardness, electron microprobe, and x-ray diffraction. The minimum and its reversal are explained by thermally activated processes, which began with the onset of recovery.