Nitric acid (HNO3) is two things at once: a strong acid and a strong oxidizer. That combination is why it digests samples other acids can't, passivates stainless steel by building a protective oxide layer, and gives off toxic brown nitrogen dioxide fumes instead of hydrogen when it hits metal. It's also why it must never touch solvents, alcohols or other organics at full strength. Concentrated acid tops out near 70%, about 15.8 molar, and slowly turns yellow as it breaks down in light or heat.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
Trace metal digestion for ICP and AA, glassware acid washing, stainless steel passivation, metal pickling and etching, wafer cleaning in chip fabs, steel metallography with Nital, gold testing, and aqua regia (three parts hydrochloric acid to one part nitric) for dissolving precious metals.
GRADES EXPLAINED
ACS Reagent Grade 70% suits trace metal and analytical methods; Semiconductor Grade 70% goes even lower on metals for electronics; Lab/Technical Grade (67% and 50% plus dilutions) costs less for passivation, cleaning and general bench work; Reagent Grade covers prepared 1%, 10%, 20% and 50% solutions.
TYPES & GRADES AT A GLANCE
70% nitric acid tested to ACS limits, the standard pick for ICP and trace metal digestions.
70% acid with ultra low metals for wafer cleaning and etching.
67% and 50% concentrates, dilutions and standard solutions; a lower cost choice for passivation, cleaning and teaching labs.
Premixed 1%, 10%, 20% and 50% nitric acid, so nobody has to dilute a strong oxidizer by hand.
WHY BUY FROM LAB ALLEY
256,000+ customers already order their acids from Lab Alley.
99.5% of orders ship within 1 to 2 business days, and 98.9% inventory accuracy means the grade and strength you see in stock is the grade and strength that ships.
SDS and COA are available online for every nitric acid product. None of our nitric acid products carry Kosher, Halal or food grade certification; they're sold for lab, analytical, industrial and electronics use.
Related: See the Hydrochloric Acid and Sulfuric Acid collections, or browse all Acids.