For thermal bather coating (TBC) applications, yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is susceptible to hot corrosion. This paper examines the hot corrosion performance of ZrO2/Ta2O5 compounds. Different compositions of ZrO2-Ta2O5 samples in the presence of molten mixture of Na2SO4+V2O5 at 1100 degrees C were tested. The compositions were selected to form tetragonal and orthorhombic phases of zirconium-tantalum oxides. Results show that orthorhombic zirconium-tantalum oxide is more stable, both thermally and chemically in Na2SO4+V2O5 media at 1100 degrees C, and shows a better hot corrosion resistance than the tetragonal phase. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.