The compatibility of a number of nickel-based single crystal superalloys with a thermal barrier coating (TBC) system is examined. An industry-standard yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ)-type ceramic was used throughout this work, deposited using electron beam physical vapour deposition at a commercial facility. It is demonstrated that the resistance to spallation during thermal cycling is dependent upon the composition of the superalloy substrate upon which the TBC system is placed - the number...