The 4-point bending test of the freestanding air plasma sprayed thermal barrier coating (APS-TBC) was carried out in order to evaluate the mechanical properties of the TBC. The effects of the process variables in APS and the isothermal aging on the mechanical properties were investigated. The experimental results indicated that the mechanical properties of the TBC were significantly changed by the process variables and the long term thermal exposure. The peculiar stress-strain response was observed in the loading and unloading bending test; the initial loading is nearly linear, however the non-linear behavior was seen in unloading and the significant irreversible strain occurred at zero stress. The elastic modulus evaluated from the unloading curve was much higher than that from the initial loading curve.