Nitric Acid 40% HNO3 — Industrial Use

Name: Nitric Acid 40%
Brand: Alliance Chemical
SKU: YNM-LM3-GA0
Availability: InStock

Commercial Fulfillment Snapshot

Buy Nitric Acid 40% with faster decisions and fewer back-and-forth emails.

Ships from Taylor, Texas. In-stock orders placed before 1:00 PM CT (Mon-Thu) and before 12:00 PM CT (Fri) typically ship same business day. Order online 24/7.

Email Bulk Quote Call (512) 365-6838

Technical Documents

SDS TDS COA

Lot-specific COA is issued per shipment batch.

Who Buys This

Metal etching & processing facilities
Wastewater treatment operators
Petroleum refining companies
Industrial cleaning services
Chemical manufacturing plants

Purity / Grade Guide

Industrial & commercial applications
40% concentration verified
Purity confirmed by COA
Strong oxidizing agent properties

Pack Sizes

1 Liter: lab & bench scale
2.5 Liter: bench & pilot work
55 Gallon: bulk drum

SDS / COA / TDS

UN 2031 Class 8 packaging
Complete SDS documentation included
COA with every shipment
Proper hazmat shipping compliance

Small Packs: UPS Ground nationwide for pints, quarts, and gallons.

LTL / FTL: ABF, SEFL, Saia, XPO, and partner carriers for pails, drums, totes, and full truckloads.

Support: Email or call for freight options, hazardous-material routing, and lead-time confirmation.

Description
Product Documents
Chemical Profile

Product Overview

Nitric Acid 40% is a strong, highly corrosive mineral acid formulated for demanding industrial and laboratory applications. Also known historically as Aqua Fortis, this solution serves as a powerful oxidizing agent. It appears as a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic acrid odor. The solution is manufactured to a precise concentration of 39–41 wt%, ensuring consistent stoichiometry for chemical processing.

Engineers and plant operators utilize Nitric Acid 40% primarily for metal surface treatment, including etching, pickling, and passivation of stainless steel. It is fully miscible in water, allowing for accurate dilution in pH control systems and chemical synthesis workflows. Due to its high reactivity with metals and organic materials, this product is packaged in strictly compatible, corrosion-resistant containers (HDPE or glass) to maintain purity and safety during transport and storage.

Key Properties

Chemical Name: Nitric Acid
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Chemical Formula: HNO₃
CAS Number: 7697-37-2
Molecular Weight: 63.01 g/mol
Density (25°C): ~1.2 g/mL
Specific Gravity (20°C): 1.19–1.27 (Typical 1.23)
Solubility: Miscible in water
Boiling Point: 83°C

Common Industrial Applications

Metal Finishing & Passivation: Removes iron contamination and promotes the formation of a protective oxide layer on stainless steel surfaces.
Etching & Pickling: Effectively strips oxides and scale from metals prior to plating or bonding processes.
Chemical Synthesis: Acts as a nitrating agent and oxidant in the production of fertilizers, dyes, and organic intermediates.
pH Adjustment: Used to lower pH in industrial water treatment and waste stream neutralization.
Laboratory Reagent: Serves as a primary oxidant in analytical chemistry and titration workflows.

Safety & Handling

Nitric Acid 40% is a Corrosive Liquid (Class 8) and a strong oxidizer. It can cause severe skin burns and eye damage. Storage must be in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, segregated from incompatible materials such as bases, reducing agents, and combustible organics. Store only in original corrosion-resistant containers.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Personnel must wear chemical splash goggles, face shields, acid-resistant gloves, and impervious clothing/aprons. Ensure immediate access to safety showers and eyewash stations. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for detailed emergency procedures and disposal guidelines.

Related Products

Property	Value
Molecular Weight	63.01 g/mol
Formula	HNO3
Assay	40%
Grade	Technical
Form	Liquid
Solubility	Miscible with water, alcohol, and most organic solvents
Appearance	Clear, colorless liquid
Melting Point	-42 °C
Boiling Point	83 °C
Specific Gravity	1.31
Industry	Industrial, Wastewater, Petroleum

Frequently Asked Questions About Nitric Acid 40%

What is Nitric Acid 40% and what is its chemical formula?

Nitric Acid 40% is a chemical compound with the molecular formula HNO3, registered under CAS Number 7697-37-2 by the Chemical Abstracts Service (PubChem), with a molecular weight of 63.01 g/mol. Alliance Chemical supplies Nitric Acid 40% in Technical grade for laboratory, industrial, and commercial applications.

What are the physical properties of Nitric Acid 40%?

According to the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Nitric Acid 40% is supplied as a clear, colorless liquid. It has a melting point of -42°C, a boiling point of 83°C. The specific gravity is 1.31 relative to water. Solubility: Miscible with water, alcohol, and most organic solvents.

What grade and purity of Nitric Acid 40% does Alliance Chemical offer?

Alliance Chemical offers Nitric Acid 40% in Technical grade with a purity assay of 40%. Every lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) prepared in accordance with OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200 and GHS Revision 7. Download SDS.

What are common industrial applications of Nitric Acid 40%?

Nitric Acid 40% serves a wide range of sectors, including Industrial, Wastewater, and Petroleum.Alliance Chemical provides the documentation and quality certifications required for use in regulated environments.

What PPE is required when handling Nitric Acid 40%?

OSHA-mandated PPE per 29 CFR 1910.132-138:Chemical-resistant gloves (20+ mil neoprene or PVC), full face shield over safety goggles (ANSI Z87.1), acid-resistant apron or chemical suit, closed-toe chemical-resistant footwear. Emergency eyewash station and safety shower must be accessible within 10 seconds per ANSI Z358.1. Consult the SDS available from Alliance Chemical for complete PPE requirements.

What are the storage requirements for Nitric Acid 40%?

Store perOSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450: Dedicated corrosives cabinet with secondary containment (110% volume per EPA 40 CFR 264.175). Temperature range:15-25°C. Segregate from:bases, reactive metals, organic materials. Maximum storage:2-3 years unopened.

What is the emergency spill procedure for Nitric Acid 40%?

Emergency response per EPA SPCC (40 CFR 112) and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120: (1) Alert personnel, evacuate area to 50 feet. (2) Eliminate ignition sources if flammable. (3) Don PPE per SDS Section 8. (4) Stop leak if safe; use emergency shutoffs. (5) Contain with non-combustible absorbent materials, dike with sand/earth. (6)Carefully neutralize with sodium bicarbonate (5-10% solution), monitor exothermic reaction. (7) Collect in DOT-approved containers, label as hazardous waste. Check 40 CFR 302.4 for Reportable Quantity. Emergency: Chemtel 1-800-255-3924 (24/7). Non-emergency: Alliance Chemical 512-365-6838.

What is the DOT shipping classification for Nitric Acid 40%?

DOT Classification per 49 CFR 172.101:See SDS Section 14 for specific UN number, Hazard Class8 (Corrosive), Packing GroupII/III. Requires: Hazmat shipping papers (49 CFR 172.200), UN specification packaging (49 CFR 173), hazmat labels (172.400). Alliance Chemical ships all orders in DOT-compliant packaging with proper documentation.

How must Nitric Acid 40% waste be disposed?

Disposal per RCRA (40 CFR 261-265):Characteristic waste D002 (Corrosive, pH ≤2 or ≥12.5). Generator requirements: EPA ID number required if >100 kg/month (40 CFR 262.12). Use EPA-permitted Treatment, Storage, Disposal Facility (TSDF). Never discharge to sewer without POTW written approval (40 CFR 403). Container disposal: Triple rinse (40 CFR 261.7), offer for reconditioning/recycling. State regulations may be more stringent — check with your local environmental agency. Consult the Alliance Chemical SDS for product-specific disposal guidance.

Does Alliance Chemical provide an SDS and COA for Nitric Acid 40%?

Yes. Alliance Chemical provides a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Certificate of Analysis (COA) for every lot of Nitric Acid 40%. The SDS is prepared in accordance with OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200 and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Revision 7, covering all 16 required sections including hazard identification, first aid measures, firefighting measures, handling and storage, exposure controls, and regulatory information. The SDS is available for download directly from this product page. COAs are available upon request by contacting Alliance Chemical at 512-365-6838.