Solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes are currently manufactured from zirconia. This is due to its high ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. However, a disadvantage of zirconia is the high temperatures required for efficient operation, greater than 900degreesC for cells not utilising thin supported electrolytes. A study to characterise the properties of an alternative composite solid electrolyte, based on a gadolinia doped ceria matrix surrounding yttria stabilised tetragonal zirconia particles is presented. Composite samples produced using 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 wt% zirconia particles were characterised using a range of different experimental techniques including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, mechanical testing and impedance spectroscopy. Results showed a lowering in flexure strength of the experimental composite samples with the addition of particles. It is considered that the particles acted as regions where cracks could initiate. (C) 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers.