Abstract: A process is provided for removing a thermal barrier coating that has been deposited on the surface of an article. Thermal barrier coatings that can be removed by the process of this invention are generally composed of a ceramic layer that is bonded to the surface of an article by a metallic bond layer. The process generally involves heating the article and its thermal barrier coating to a temperature of at least about 870.degree. C., and exposing the thermal barrier coating to a halogen-containing agent for a duration sufficient to deteriorate the bond between the thermal barrier coating and the article to the extent that the coating separates from the article without damaging the underlying surface. The process can be carried out within various types of heated enclosures, including those within which the halogen-containing agent is introduced in a gaseous state, or those in which the halogen-containing agent can be prepared as a powder mixture that changes to a vapor when heated.