This study investigates changes in the mechanical behavior, such as changes in indentation load-displacement curve, wear resistance and contact fatigue resistance of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) by thermal cycling test and thermal shock test. Relatively dense and porous TBCs on nickel-based bondcoat/superalloy are prepared; the highest temperature applied during thermal durability test is 1350℃. The results indicate that the porous TBCs have relatively longer lifetime during thermal cycling and thermal shock tests, while denser TBCs have relatively higher wear and contact fatigue resistance. The mechanical behavior is influenced by sintering of the TBCs by exposure to high temperature during tests.