8 wt% Y2O3-ZrO2 spray powder and thermally sprayed as thermal barrier coatings on outer air seals were characterized by Raman microprobe spectroscopy (RMS) and transmission electron microscopy to investigate the lateral distribution, composition, structure and grain size of ZrO2 phases and to separate ZrO2 and Y2O3. RMS of transfer layers on ZrO2-coated shrouds after rub tests against SiC laser-tipped metallic blades showed the formation of metallic oxides MeIMeII2O4 of spinel type. Wear tracks were partly covered by graphite and spinel-type oxides. In some cases, the latter were better detectable after laser enhanced cleaning by burning off the covering carbon layer.