Glasses have been prepared in the Si-Y-Al-O-N system by melting mixtur
es of silica, alumina, yttria, and silicon nitride. One particular gla
ss containing 17 equiv% N has been investigated to observe the crystal
lization at temperatures in the range 1050-degrees-1300-degrees-C. The
major crystalline phase observed is Y2Si2O7, existing as the alpha fo
rm below 1200-degrees-C and the beta form above this temperature. Prop
erties of the glass-ceramic, including thermal expansion coefficient,
hardness, electrical resistivity, and creep have been assessed.