To test the hypotheses that shear bond strength (σ s ) and contact angle (θ) are influenced by the thermal expansion/contraction behavior of bilayered all-ceramic systems.Glass-infiltrated ceramics (A - In-Ceram ALUMINA) and zirconia-reinforced alumina (Z - In- Ceram ZIRCONIA) were veneered with feldspathic ceramics (7 - VM7; 9 - VM9; 13 - VM13), yielding 6 experimental groups. Surface roughness (Ra) of A and Z core ceramic disks (12mm diameter×1.2mm high) was measured to assure that values were similar. A cylinder of veneer (2mm diameter×2mm high) was fired onto the center of all core disks, cooled under identical conditions and tested for σ s to failure (n=20). For the θ evaluation (n=10) similar specimens (veneer 1mm high) were overfired to develop an equilibrium θ that was then measured from digital images (AutoCAD 2006). Published thermal expansion data were used.The mean values of σ s (MPa) and θ (°) for the core-veneer ceramic groups were, respectively: A7 (19.4±4.7; 49±4.7); Z7 (23.4±6.2; 56±4.9); A9 (0.9±1.6; 55±5.8); Z9 (9.8±5.7; 59.8±2.9); A13 (0; 70±6.0); Z13 (0; 67.2±6.3). As the difference in coefficient of thermal expansion (coreveneer) increases, the θ value increases (r=0.95) and the σ s value decreases (r=−0.92), p≤0.01.The contact angle measurement and the shear bond strength test of core-veneer ceramics are influenced by the thermal expansion behavior of these all-ceramic systems.