The local order around the yttrium atoms in a series of samples belong
ing to the Y2O3-Al2O3 system have been characterised by X-ray absorpti
on at the yttrium K-edge. Three types of Y-O bonds were found in the f
irst coordination shell for samples rich in Y2O3 The garnet-like alumi
nates have been elaborated by an original solution-polyacrylamide gel
technique.