A method for consolidating a green body is disclosed which involves: (1) drying and partially sintering the green body at a temperature above about 1000.degree. C. and in an atmosphere containing chlorine; (2) fully sintering the green body under vacuum at a temperature above about 1720.degree. C.; and (3) hot isostatic pressing ("hipping") the green body at a temperature above about 1150.degree. C. and at a pressure above about 100 psig. The process produces glass articles which have a low water content and are essentially bubble free.This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/271,709 filed Nov. 16, 1988, now abandoned which is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 07/052,619, filed May 20, 1987 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,389.