Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) often encounter temperature cycling in the course of normal operation. In the absence of actual or simulated engine test facilities, accelerated furnace thermal cycling experiments are frequently devised to evaluate the response of various TBCs. This study, which deals with yttria-stabilized and magnesia-stabilized zirconia systems, shows that the performance of a TBC is significantly governed by the severity of the time-temperature schedule employed. More importantly, the ranking of the two zirconia-base TBCs also is influenced by the adopted thermal cycling test schedule. These findings have ramifications in the design of suitable accelerated tests for TBC evaluation. © 1995, ASM International. All rights reserved.