testing in the European Union Federico Cernuschi* 1 , Robert Vassen* 2 , Gabriele Rizzi* 3 , Nicolaie Markocsan* 4 , Lars Östergren* 5 , Arjen Kloosterman* 6 , Remy Mevrel* 7 , Jörg Feist* 8 , John Nicholss* 9 Ceramics Japan-Bulletin of the ceramic society of Japan- N. 5 2008 Vol. 83 Giappone * 1 CESI RICERCA * 2 Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, IEF-1, Jülich, Germany, * 3 Turbocoating SpA. * 4 University West, Dept of Technology, Mathematics and Computer Science, Trollhättan, Swede * 5 Surface Technology, Volvo Aero Corporation, Trollhättan, Swede * 6 National Aerospace Laboratory NLR, Gas Turbines & Structural Integrity Department, Amsterdam, The Netherland * 7 ONERA, Chatillon Cedex, France * 8 Southside Thermal Sciences (STS) Ltd, London, United Kingdom * 9 Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom) Although thermal barrier coatings are used in industry for several decades there is still considerable demand for a further improvement of this coating system. Present research projects are for example dealing with the improvement of temperature capability and lifetime, developing of lifetime models, new processing technologies, or incorporating of additional functional properties in the coating. The present paper tries to give an overview on these recent research activities. In addition, it will also try to describe the different burner rig test facilities in Europe, which serve as an important test bed of thermal barrier coating systems.