A thermal barrier coating is provided. The thermal barrier coating is configured to remain adherent to a substrate under high strains, thus allowing the use of non-contacting strain measurement systems, using digital image correlation for example. The thermal barrier coating may include a first layer of a partially metallic material configured to adhere to a metallic substrate, and a second layer of a partially ceramic material configured to adhere to the first layer. A successful configuration has a top layer thickness that is approximately two-thirds of the first layer thickness.