Vickers hardness, fracture toughness, bending strength, resistance to hydrothermal aging of Ce-Y-TZP ceramics with respect to ceria and yttria contents are revealed on the basis of results in the present study as well as earlier data in our group. Through corresponding contour maps, the relationships between compositions and mechanical properties can be explored. It appears that there exists an optimum composition region of 6.5-7 mol% CeO2 and 2.25-3 mol% YO1.5, exhibiting high strength of 750-900 MPa, high toughness of 10-17 MPa m(1/2), and sufficient resistance to low temperature degradation. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.