Product Overview
Nitric Acid 40% (CAS 7697-37-2) is a highly corrosive mineral acid featuring the molecular formula HNO3 and a molecular weight of 63.013. As a major industrial reagent, this aqueous solution of nitric acid is utilized across multiple sectors including metal finishing, agricultural formulation, and chemical synthesis. Liquid in form, this chemical is denser than water and has a characteristic choking odor. It is widely recognized for its strong oxidizing properties, which make it indispensable for surface preparation and specialized etching processes. Alliance Chemical provides this high-purity product to ensure consistent performance in demanding industrial environments.
As a premier Texas chemical supplier, Alliance Chemical distributes Nitric Acid 40% in various packaging options to meet your facility's specific volume requirements. This concentration provides a balanced profile for operations that require the reactive power of nitric acid without the extreme volatility associated with highly concentrated or fuming grades. Our product is manufactured under strict quality controls, ensuring that contaminants are minimized and the concentration remains stable. Whether you require standard volumes or bulk delivery, we maintain a robust supply chain to support your operational needs. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is provided with every order to support your facility's hazard communication compliance.
Why This Grade
Selecting the correct concentration of nitric acid is critical for maintaining process safety and achieving desired chemical reactions. At 40% concentration, this solution offers a safer handling profile compared to 67% or 70% concentrations, while still providing the necessary hydronium ion activity and oxidizing potential for applications like stainless steel passivation and circuit board etching. Sourcing the specific 40% concentration ensures that reaction rates remain controlled, preventing runaway exothermic reactions that can occur with stronger concentrations. Utilizing a concentration that is too high can lead to excessive fuming, rapid metal degradation, and increased safety hazards for personnel.
Conversely, utilizing a lower concentration can result in incomplete reactions, insufficient oxide layer removal, and prolonged cycle times, which directly impacts plant productivity. The 40% concentration is the industry-standard threshold for many metal finishing protocols, where precise etching rates must be maintained to prevent dimensional tolerance failure in precision parts. By sourcing our pre-diluted 40% solution, facilities eliminate the hazards and inconsistency of in-house dilution of concentrated acids, thereby reducing the risk of water-to-acid addition accidents. This product is formulated to meet these exact operational requirements, ensuring process repeatability and minimizing the risk of batch rejection due to chemical variance.
Chemical Profile
- CAS Number
- 7697-37-2
- Chemical Formula
- HNO3
- Molecular Weight
- 63.013 g/mol
- Boiling Point
- 181 °F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024)
- Melting Point
- -44 °F (NIOSH, 2024)
- Specific Gravity
- 1.5 at 77 °F (NIOSH, 2024) - Denser than water; will sink
- Appearance
- Nitric acid, other than red fuming appears as a pale yellow to reddish brown liquid with reddish brown vapors and a suffocating odor. Very toxic by inhalation. Corrosive to metals or tissue. Accelerates the burning of combustible material and may cause ignition of combustible materials upon contact. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or short term exposure to high concentrations may result in adverse health effects. Density 12 lb / gal.
- Solubility
- Miscible (NIOSH, 2024)
- UN Number
- UN2031
- Hazard Class
- Class 8
- Packing Group
- II
- Proper Shipping Name
- Nitric acid, other than red fuming, with less than 65 percent nitric acid
- GHS Signal Word
- Danger
Values sourced from Alliance Chemical's canonical chemistry registry. Certificate of Analysis (COA) per lot.
Industrial Applications
- Metal Surface Finishing: Used for the passivation of stainless steel parts to remove free iron and optimize corrosion resistance in industrial machinery.
- Chemical Manufacturing: Serves as a key reagent in the synthesis of nitrogen-based compounds, nitrate salts, and organic chemical intermediates.
- Agricultural Formulations: Applied in the formulation of specialized fertilizers and pH adjusters for commercial agricultural soils and nutrient solutions.
- Semiconductor and PCB Etching: Utilized in the electronics industry for precision acid-etching of silicon wafers and printed circuit boards.
- Industrial Cleaning: Formulated into heavy-duty descaling agents for removing mineral deposits and scale from industrial heat exchangers and pipelines.
Hazmat & Shipping
Nitric Acid 40% is classified as a hazardous material for transportation and must be handled with extreme care. It is officially regulated and shipped under the proper shipping name Nitric acid, other than red fuming, with less than 65 percent nitric acid, identified as UN2031, Hazard Class 8, Packing Group II. The designated GHS signal word is Danger. This highly reactive corrosive liquid possesses strong oxidizing properties that can accelerate the burning of combustible materials and may cause spontaneous ignition upon contact with incompatible substances. All transport configurations strictly adhere to DOT regulations to ensure safe delivery to your facility.
The hazards associated with this chemical are detailed under GHS classification codes H272, H314, and H330. Inhalation of vapors is extremely hazardous and can be fatal, requiring the use of appropriate respiratory protection in accordance with OSHA standards. Personnel must wear comprehensive personal protective equipment (PPE), including acid-resistant gloves, chemical splash goggles, full face shields, and protective aprons, to prevent severe skin burns and eye damage. Proper local exhaust ventilation must be maintained in all working areas. Ensure that your team reviews the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling.
Handling & Storage
Store Nitric Acid 40% in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, maintaining temperatures ideally between 40°F and 80°F to prevent thermal expansion and container degradation. It is highly incompatible with organic compounds, bases, active metals, reducing agents, and combustible materials, as contact can cause violent reactions or fire. Recommended storage containers include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), fluoropolymer containers, or glass; standard metals like mild steel or copper are highly incompatible and will corrode rapidly. Containers must remain tightly sealed when not in use, with venting caps utilized where appropriate to manage vapor pressure.
Order & Documentation
Alliance Chemical is committed to providing fully documented and compliant chemical solutions for industrial facilities. A comprehensive Certificate of Analysis (COA) is available upon request for every batch shipped, and we ensure that a detailed Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is provided with every order to support your facility's safety protocols. To secure your supply, you can Order Nitric Acid 40% directly through our portal, or you can Request a Quote for bulk shipping rates.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
Since 1997, Alliance Chemical has supplied premium industrial chemicals from Taylor, Texas under CAGE Code 1LT50, with a COA and SDS included on every order. For industrial use only.
