Bone ash is the white, powdery ash left from the burning (
calcinationCalcination is a thermal treatment process applied to ores and other solid materials in order to bring about a thermal decomposition, phase transition, or removal of a volatile fraction. The calcination process normally takes place at temperatures below the melting point of the product materials...
) of
boneBones are rigid organs that form part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They function to move, support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue...
s. It is primarily composed of
calcium phosphateCalcium phosphate is the name given to a family of minerals containing calcium ions together with orthophosphates , metaphosphates or pyrophosphates and occasionally hydrogen or hydroxide ions.It is the principal form of calcium found in bovine milk...
. It is commonly used in
fertilizerFertilizers are chemical compounds applied to promote plant and fruit growth. Fertilizers are usually applied either through the soil or by foliar feeding...
s,
polishingPolishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface by rubbing it or using a chemical action, leaving a surface with minimal diffuse reflection and significant specular reflection When the surface is magnified thousands of times, it usually looks like mountains and valleys...
compounds, and in making
ceramicA ceramic is an inorganic, non-metallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous...
s (such as
bone chinaBone china is a type of porcelain body first developed in Britain in which calcined cattle bone is a major component. It is characterised by high whiteness, translucency and strength...
). It also has historical uses in the manufacture of
baking powderBaking powder is a dry chemical leavening agent used to increase the volume and lighten the texture of baked goods such as muffins, cakes, scones and North American biscuits. Baking powder works by releasing carbon dioxide gas into a batter or dough through an acid-base reaction, causing bubbles in...
s and assay
cupelCupel may refer to:*A porous pot used in cupellation*Cupel, Białobrzegi County in Masovian Voivodeship *Cupel, Legionowo County in Masovian Voivodeship...
s.
Bone ash is the white, powdery ash left from the burning (
calcinationCalcination is a thermal treatment process applied to ores and other solid materials in order to bring about a thermal decomposition, phase transition, or removal of a volatile fraction. The calcination process normally takes place at temperatures below the melting point of the product materials...
) of
boneBones are rigid organs that form part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They function to move, support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue...
s. It is primarily composed of
calcium phosphateCalcium phosphate is the name given to a family of minerals containing calcium ions together with orthophosphates , metaphosphates or pyrophosphates and occasionally hydrogen or hydroxide ions.It is the principal form of calcium found in bovine milk...
. It is commonly used in
fertilizerFertilizers are chemical compounds applied to promote plant and fruit growth. Fertilizers are usually applied either through the soil or by foliar feeding...
s,
polishingPolishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface by rubbing it or using a chemical action, leaving a surface with minimal diffuse reflection and significant specular reflection When the surface is magnified thousands of times, it usually looks like mountains and valleys...
compounds, and in making
ceramicA ceramic is an inorganic, non-metallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous...
s (such as
bone chinaBone china is a type of porcelain body first developed in Britain in which calcined cattle bone is a major component. It is characterised by high whiteness, translucency and strength...
). It also has historical uses in the manufacture of
baking powderBaking powder is a dry chemical leavening agent used to increase the volume and lighten the texture of baked goods such as muffins, cakes, scones and North American biscuits. Baking powder works by releasing carbon dioxide gas into a batter or dough through an acid-base reaction, causing bubbles in...
s and assay
cupelCupel may refer to:*A porous pot used in cupellation*Cupel, Białobrzegi County in Masovian Voivodeship *Cupel, Legionowo County in Masovian Voivodeship...
s.
Although
syntheticIn chemistry, chemical synthesis is purposeful execution of chemical reactions to get a product, or several products. This happens by physical and chemical manipulations usually involving one or more reactions...
alternatives have been produced (synthetic
tri-Tricalcium phosphate is a compound with formula Ca
32. It is also known as calcium orthophosphate, tertiary calcium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate, or "bone ash" .It has an alpha an alpha' and a beta crystal form, the alpha state being formed at high...
or
dicalcium phosphateDicalcium phosphate, also known as calcium monohydrogen phosphate, is a dibasic calcium phosphate. It is usually found as the dihydrate, with the chemical formula of CaHPO
4 • 2H
2O, but it can be thermally converted to the anhydrous form. It is practically insoluble in water,...
s), the majority of bone china is still made using natural bone ash. Synthetic bone ash has also found use as a mold release agent for the casting of non-ferrous metals such as
copperCopper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29.It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is rather soft and malleable and a freshly-exposed surface has a pinkish or peachy color...
.