Beef Much More Than Steaks – Bone Ash

ALLIANCE – As seen in previous articles in this series, the beef byproducts remaining after the food portion is removed can be used for a wide variety of things.

Bone ash is what remains of the beef bones after special treatments are used to remove or destroy the organic components of the bone. The methods by which the minerals are extracted from the bone vary and are generally trade secrets, but the end result is virtually identical.

Bone ash is used as one of the ingredients for fine bone-porcelain china. The addition of bone ash to porcelain increases the tensile strength and the porcelain’s resistance to chipping.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the initial development of bone china is attributed to Josiah Spode the Second, who introduced it around 1800. Spode’s formula remains the standard mixture for much of the fine china produced today.

Bone china also has the benefit of an ivory-white appearance as opposed to the blue or gray tinged porcelain.

Bone ash is used in as an ingredient in casting molds for metals as the addition of the ash increases the tensile strength of the molds and increasing their lifespan as well.

Sonac, a producer of bone ash MC (metal casting) describes two methods of application for use for the protection of launderers (tools, equipment, molds and more) in the cast house.

In dry form it is manually applied in the launderers as a coating to prevent liquid aluminum from sticking to the launderers, and at places needing repaired where dams have to be made in the casts.

In wet application a suspension of bone ash MC with water, it is used to protect hot molds with a thin layer. It is also suitable for the protection of tools like casting spoons.

There are also medical applications for bone ash.

A scientific paper Leonardo Electronic Journal of Practices and Technologies explains biomaterials in the form of implants (sutures, bone plates, joint replacements, ligaments, vascular grafts, heart valves, intraocular lenses, dental implants, etc.) and medical devices (pacemakers, biosensors, artificial hearts, blood tubes, etc.) are widely used to replace and/or restore the function of traumatized or degenerated tissue or organs.

Polymeric composites prepared by mixing polyurethanes, natural polymers and an addition of eight percent bone ash provide improved mechanical properties.

The use of bone ash in polymers for biomaterial provides increased compatibility. The human physiology is – except in certain cases causing the body’s immune system to weaken – very aggressive. The use of natural organic minerals was found to be very effective in preventing rejection.

Without these implants and medical devices, many would live a lower quality of life or perhaps experience an earlier death.

The bone ash used for these biomedical polymers is derived from the bones of cattle, which is a natural source allowing the body to accept these devices or implants. These bones are readily available and obtained from the beef industry, making it a good source for these life-saving materials.