The sintering and the crystallization of two iron-rich glass compositions (45-75-mum powder fractions) were studied in air and nitrogen atmospheres. The phase formation was evaluated by differential thermal analysis, while the densification, by dilatometry; the crystalline phases were identified by X-ray diffraction and the structure observed by scanning electron microscopy. It was highlighted that, due to the absence of Fe2+ oxidation and lower viscosity of the parent and residual glasses, the sintering in nitrogen atmospheres occurs at 100degrees-200degreesC lower temperature. In the same time the higher amount of crystal phase, formed during sinter-crystallization in inert atmosphere, improves the mechanical properties. A value of 120 MPa for the bending strength was obtained after 1-h sintering at 960degreesC in N-2.