From Waste to Resource: Hydroxyapatite-Rich Bone Ash Derived From Cattle Bones for Sustainable Ceramics

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The increasing need for sustainable resource utilization has driven the exploration of waste-derived materials for industrial applications. This study investigates the valorization of cattle bone waste into high-purity hydroxyapatite-rich bone ash and its application in ceramics. The beneficiation process involved boiling, drying, controlled calcination at 850 °C, crushing, and milling, effectively removing organic contaminants while preserving the mineral structure. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that the ash consists predominantly of hydroxyapatite (88 wt%) with high crystallinity, demonstrating its suitability as a ceramic raw material. The bone ash was incorporated into multiple ceramic ware formulations, which were fabricated into test samples and evaluated for physico-mechanical properties, including water absorption, apparent porosity, linear shrinkage, bulk density, and compressive strength. The formulation containing 55% bone ash, 30% feldspar, 12% kaolin, and 3% ball clay exhibited optimal performance, achieving low shrinkage (3.61%), minimal water absorption (1.69%), low porosity (2.72%), and high compressive strength (2.00 N/mm²), enabling the production of durable and high-quality ceramic wares. These findings highlight the potential of bone ash to substitute conventional raw materials while promoting waste valorization and environmental sustainability.