The ternary Yb compound YbZn2Sb2 belongs to the typical diamagnetic semimetal. Its electrical and magnetic properties are studied in series of papers [1-3]. However the mechanical characteristics of this compound remain undefined. To this end, the objective of this work was to examine the microstructure and the main mechanical properties of the YbZn2Sb2 compound. The researches were carried out on the (0001) plane. As was shown in [4], the ternary YbZn2Sb2 compound adopts the trigonal-type structure. In accordance with this, in our work the crystallographic oriented growth steps have been revealed on the studied surface. They were oriented lengthwise the <1100 > directions and form between them the angles of 60 or 120 degrees (Fig.1). The quasi-static (HV) and dynamic (HB) methods were used for the mechanical parameter testing. It was found that crystals were possessed of a middle hardness value: HV=3.15 GPa and HB=3.50 GPa. The Young modulus (E) was equal to 50,0 GPa. The hardness anisotropy on the (0001) plane was determined by use the microsclerometric method. The maximal (Hs,max) and minimal (Hs,min) sclerometric hardness was found to be, respectively, 1,28 GPa and 1,09 GPa, and as a result, the hardness anisotropy coefficient k=(Hs,maxHs,min)/Hs,min to be equal to 17,5%.figureFig.1. Light microscopy. The surface microstructure of the ternary YbZn2Sb2 compound on the (0001) planefigureFig.2. The load/displacement curve for the ternary YbZn2Sb2 compound obtained with a Berkovich indenterThe examination of the curves of dynamic loading/unloading showed that crystals were possessed of the appreciable elastic recovery (Fig. 2). The curve load/displacement indicates the smooth plastic deformation with the barely perceptible pop-in and pop-out effects. At the same time around the indentations and scratches the fine cracks were detected. Thereby the ternary YbZn2Sb2 compound due to its crystallographic structure manifests the both plastic and brittle properties and the not great anisotropy of hardness.