Y2O3-Al2O3-SiO2 glasses were prepared by combustion synthesis melt-casting under high gravity. The properties of the glasses strongly depended on the starting compositions and preparation conditions. With a higher SiO2 content in the starting compositions, the glass-forming ability of the melt was improved, but the density and hardness of the prepared glasses decreased. Crystallization occurred more frequently for larger samples and by using quartz crucibles instead of graphite ones. By increasing the high-gravity factors, both the density and hardness of the samples were improved. It is proposed that enhancing the high-gravity field facilitates the removal of bubbles from the melt. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.