Castings simulating a maxillary central incisor coping were fabricated from five representative high-palladium alloys, using burnout temperatures of 1,400 degrees F and 1,500 degrees F, with a carbon-free phosphate-bonded investment. Three castings of each alloy were individually prepared at each burnout temperature. Each casting was sectioned into two specimens, and one specimen was subjected to simulated porcelain firing heat treatment. Polished and etched specimens in as-cast and heat-treated conditions were examined with optical and scanning electron microscopes. Mean values of Vickers hardness (1-kg load) were determined for each alloy and condition. It was observed that the simulated porcelain firing cycles caused major changes in as-cast bulk microstructures for the three first-generation alloys, while only subtle alterations were observed for the two second-generation alloys. In addition, complex regions associated with oxidation processes were found near the surfaces of all the heat-treated alloys. While the as-cast microstructure and the hardness of each alloy did not vary appreciably for the two burnout temperatures, the incidence of hot tearing in one first-generation alloy was substantially reduced at the lower burnout temperature. Statistically significant decreases in hardness generally occurred in the high-palladium alloys after the simulated porcelain firing cycles, but the relatively small changes (usually 10% or less) should not have any clinical significance. Other clinically relevant applications are also discussed.