The hardness, phase and microstructural development of Nb-18Si-24Ti-2Cr-2Al (at.%) alloys processed by electron beam surface melting (EBSM) and subsequent heat treatments were investigated. The EBSM experiments were performed using an electron beam based 3D printing system. Results showed that Nbss and Nb3Si phases were obtained via EBSM with a significantly refined microstructure. The eutectoid reaction of Nb3Si -> Nbss + alpha Nb5Si3 was triggered by heat treatments (HT) at 1200 degrees C or 1450 degrees C for 5 h. The growth and the coarsening of alpha Nb5Si3 grains were promoted with a higher HT temperature. The hardness of the EBSM alloy was remarkably reduced by HT. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.