Addition of excess ceria in zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) systems. Ceria inclusions retained the phase stability of ZTA systems till 1500 °C. Excess ceria additions influenced the dominant crystallization of cubic ceria (c-CeO2). Ceria and zirconia presence in equal level led to t-ZrO2 crystallization as an additional phase. Excess ceria in ZTA systems yielded poor mechanical properties.