Product Overview
Nitric Acid 65% ACS Grade is a strong oxidizing mineral acid that presents as a pale yellow to reddish brown liquid with reddish brown vapors. At 65% concentration by weight (CAS 7697-37-2), this solution carries the oxidizing strength needed by metal fabrication shops, analytical laboratories, water treatment facilities, and chemical processing operations. It is available to order in multiple configurations from 1 Liter bottles through 55 Gallon drums, covering both lab-bench and industrial-scale demand.
This is a fully regulated hazmat product—DOT Class 8 (Corrosive) with a subsidiary 5.1 (Oxidizer) classification—and every shipment from our Taylor, TX facility ships with the required documentation and placarding.
Why This Concentration
65% nitric acid occupies a specific position in the concentration range: reactive enough to drive aggressive etching, passivation, and oxidation reactions, yet below the fuming threshold where vapor generation and thermal instability escalate sharply. For analytical workflows like HPLC mobile-phase preparation, 65% is a standard working concentration. The ACS Grade designation is a procurement tier that analytical labs, QC departments, and research facilities commonly specify when trace-level contaminants could interfere with instrumentation or reaction outcomes.
If your process calls for a less aggressive acid—routine pH adjustment, dilute cleaning, or lower-risk field applications—Nitric Acid 40%, Nitric Acid 25%, Nitric Acid 20%, or Nitric Acid 5% reduce operator exposure and simplify storage requirements. Where maximum oxidizing power with low particle counts is required—semiconductor fabrication or trace-metals analysis—step up to Nitric Acid 70% ACS Grade - Low Particle.
Chemical Profile
Nitric Acid 65% ACS Grade (formula HNO₃, molecular weight 63.013, CAS 7697-37-2) is a liquid at standard conditions. Its appearance ranges from pale yellow to reddish brown, and it produces reddish brown vapors with a characteristic choking odor. The solution has a density of 1.391 at 20 °C for the 65% w/w aqueous solution, approximately 12 lb per gallon. It is fully miscible with water. Vapor pressure sits at 48 mmHg, which means noticeable off-gassing at ambient temperature—local exhaust ventilation or fume-hood use is not optional, it is mandatory. The acid is very toxic by inhalation, corrosive to metals and tissue, and will accelerate the burning of combustible material on contact.
Industrial Applications
Nitric acid at this concentration and grade serves established roles across several industries:
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Metal Etching and Passivation — Acts as an aggressive etchant for stainless steel passivation, metallographic sample preparation, and semiconductor wafer processing. The oxidizing action dissolves base metals and surface contaminants, leaving a clean passive oxide layer behind. Plating shops and fabrication facilities use it in controlled immersion baths and spray lines.
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HPLC Mobile Phase — Used as a mobile-phase component in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography to separate organic compounds. The ACS Grade designation is the typical procurement specification for this analytical work, where background contaminants can distort chromatographic baselines.
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Nitrate Production — Serves as a feedstock for producing ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and other nitrate salts through neutralization with the appropriate base. This is a foundational step in fertilizer and energetic-materials manufacturing.
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pH Adjustment — Dosed into industrial wastewater and process water streams to lower pH where alkalinity must be neutralized. Water treatment operators use it when a strong mineral acid with oxidizing properties is preferred over hydrochloric or sulfuric acid.
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Oxidizing Agent in Synthesis — Drives nitration and oxidation reactions in organic and pharmaceutical synthesis steps, where controlled oxidizing conditions are required to form specific functional groups.
Handling & Storage
Signal word: Danger (per the product's GHS classification). This acid carries the following hazard statements (per the product's GHS classification):
- H272 — May intensify fire; oxidizer
- H290 — May be corrosive to metals
- H314 — Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
- H331 — Toxic if inhaled
- EUH071 — Corrosive to the respiratory tract
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Use containers rated for strong oxidizing acids—HDPE or borosilicate glass. Keep away from reducing agents, organic materials, combustible materials, and strong bases. Nitric acid can accelerate or ignite combustible materials on contact. Protect containers from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain stability.
Required PPE includes chemical-splash goggles, face shield, acid-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), and an acid-resistant apron or full suit. Work in a fume hood or ensure local exhaust ventilation is active—the reddish brown nitrogen dioxide vapors this acid produces are toxic by inhalation. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or short-term exposure to high concentrations may result in adverse health effects. Review the product SDS before first use.
Hazmat & Shipping
Nitric Acid 65% ACS Grade ships as a fully regulated hazardous material. The governing transport data:
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UN Number: UN2031 (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive) with subsidiary hazard 5.1 (Oxidizer) (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Packing Group: II (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Proper Shipping Name: Nitric acid, other than red fuming, with at least 65 percent, but not more than 70 percent nitric acid (per 49 CFR 172.101)
Every outbound shipment from our Taylor, TX facility includes the required DOT hazmat shipping papers, diamond placarding, and cargo segregation per 49 CFR. Our shipping team handles the hazmat compliance paperwork so you receive a properly documented, regulation-ready shipment.
Documentation
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is included with every order, available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. Lot-specific Certificates of Analysis (COA) are available on request for buyers who need to verify incoming material against their quality specs. A Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is also available for this product.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
This product is available to order in sizes from 1 Liter bottles to 55 Gallon drums, with full DOT Class 8 / 5.1 hazmat shipping compliance handled on every order—SDS, placarding, and shipping papers included. Alliance Chemical has served over 50,000 industrial and lab customers since 1998, shipping from our facility at 204 S Edmond St, Taylor, Texas 76574 under USDOT Registration #2188383. Shipping and handling guidance on this page is reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist.
