Many in the metalcasting industry are aware that castings can be used as medical implants. They can serve critical functions in artificial hips, knee replacements and various other prosthetics.

But who knew that a casting-supporting technology like filter-making might someday improve our quality of life, as well?

According to Eureka Magazine, the same technology that produces the ceramic filters used when pouring metal castings is now being developed to manufacture titanium foam that closely mimics the structure and behavior of bone material.

What’s more, the foam actually “promotes ingrowth into surrounding bones.” That’s not a bad contribution for one of the oldest manufacturing methods on the planet.