Nitric Acid
Nitric Acid Supplier
Nitric Acid (HNO₃), also known as aqua fortis, is a strong mineral acid and powerful oxidizing agent that serves as a cornerstone of industrial chemistry. From fertilizer and explosives production to metal etching, passivation, and pharmaceutical synthesis, nitric acid is essential wherever chemistry demands both strong acidity and oxidizing power. With more than 75 years of experience as a pioneering innovator, Alexander Chemical supplies top-quality Nitric Acid in liquid form, backed by expert technical guidance and reliable bulk delivery services. Safety and compliance are our top priorities.
Key Characteristics of Nitric Acid
Chemical Properties
- Nitric Acid Formula: HNO₃
- Appearance: Clear to pale yellow fuming liquid
- Odor: Sharp, acrid
- Solubility: Miscible with water in all proportions
- pH: Strongly acidic (pH < 1 at typical concentrations)
- Common Concentrations: 65–70% (concentrated); up to 98% (fuming/strong grade)
Storage & Handling Requirements
- Store in stainless steel or passivated aluminum tanks; never carbon steel
- Requires ventilation — fuming grades release corrosive nitrogen oxides
Nitric Acid is a hazardous material. A powerful oxidizing acid that reacts vigorously and exothermically with metals, organics, and combustibles — concentrated forms can cause ignition or explosion on contact with incompatible materials. Fumes contain corrosive nitrogen oxides. Mishandling can lead to serious safety and environmental risks. Always rely on certified professionals for storage, handling, and transportation.
What are the Uses of Nitric Acid?
Nitric Acid is indispensable to some of the world’s most critical industries, valued not only for its acidity but for its unique properties as a strong oxidizing agent.
Fertilizer Production
The single largest use of nitric acid — accounting for the majority of global production — is the manufacture of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, produced by reacting nitric acid with ammonia. Ammonium nitrate is one of the most important nitrogen fertilizers, supporting agricultural productivity that feeds billions of people worldwide.
Explosives Manufacturing
Nitric acid is a key reagent in the production of explosives including TNT, nitroglycerin, and nitrocellulose. Nitration reactions — in which nitric acid introduces nitro groups into organic compounds — are fundamental to both commercial and defense explosives manufacturing.
Metal Etching & Passivation
Nitric acid is used to etch, clean, and passivate metal surfaces, particularly stainless steel, aluminum, and other alloys. Passivation with dilute nitric acid forms a protective oxide layer that resists corrosion — critical in pharmaceutical, food processing, and aerospace applications.
Chemical Synthesis
As a nitrating agent and oxidizer, nitric acid is a fundamental reagent in the synthesis of dyes, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, and adipic acid (a nylon precursor). It is also a key input in the Ostwald process cycle for its own production.
Other Industrial Applications
- Rocket propellant oxidizer
- Gold and precious metal refining
- Laboratory reagent and analytical chemistry
Bulk Nitric Acid Delivery & Support Services
The professionals at Alexander Chemical bring decades of experience and expertise to managing Nitric Acid with precision and care. We supply and deliver to municipal utilities, industrial facilities, and specialty operations across the country.
What We Offer
- Supplying and delivering Nitric Acid in bulk tankers, totes, or drums tailored to your specific requirements
- On-site technical support for optimal dosing and application
- Regulatory compliance guidance and safety training
- Regular tank inspections and maintenance recommendations
A Brief History of Nitric Acid
Nitric acid has been known to chemists for over 700 years. Medieval alchemists knew it as aqua fortis — Latin for ‘strong water’ — for its ability to dissolve silver and most metals, though not gold. It was first described in written form around the 13th century and by the 17th century was being produced on a small industrial scale by distilling saltpeter (potassium nitrate) with sulfuric acid. The modern era of nitric acid production began in 1901 with Wilhelm Ostwald’s catalytic oxidation process — the Ostwald process — which efficiently converts ammonia to nitric acid at industrial scale. This breakthrough, combined with the Haber-Bosch ammonia synthesis process, made large-scale fertilizer and explosives production possible and fundamentally shaped 20th-century agriculture and warfare.
Nitric Acid Facts
- Aqua Fortis: Medieval alchemists called nitric acid ‘strong water’ — and for good reason. It dissolves silver, copper, and most metals, yet cannot touch gold, giving rise to the original ‘acid test’ for precious metals.
- The Fertilizer Behind Modern Agriculture: Most of the world’s ammonium nitrate fertilizer — critical to feeding the global population — begins with nitric acid. The Ostwald process for making nitric acid from ammonia is one of the chemical foundations of modern food production.
- The Copper Penny Reaction: Dropping copper into concentrated nitric acid produces one of chemistry’s most dramatic demonstrations — vigorous bubbling, reddish-brown nitrogen dioxide fumes, and a vivid blue-green solution of copper nitrate, a staple of chemistry education.
- Extended WWI: Before the Ostwald process, explosives production depended on imported Chilean saltpeter. Domestic nitric acid synthesis from atmospheric nitrogen allowed Germany to continue explosives manufacturing — a development that tragically prolonged the First World War.
- Rocket Propulsion: Nitric acid has been used as an oxidizer in rocket propellants — particularly in early ballistic missiles and certain modern applications — where its powerful oxidizing properties support high-energy combustion.
Frequently Asked Questions about HNO₃
What is nitric acid?
Nitric acid (HNO₃), also known as aqua fortis, is a strong mineral acid and powerful oxidizing agent. It is typically supplied as a concentrated aqueous solution (65–70% HNO₃) or as fuming nitric acid (>86%) for specialized applications. It is produced industrially via the Ostwald process and is one of the most important industrial chemicals produced globally.
What is nitric acid used for?
The largest use of nitric acid is in the production of ammonium nitrate fertilizer. It is also essential for explosives manufacturing, metal etching and passivation, chemical synthesis (dyes, pharmaceuticals, adipic acid), and rocket propellant production.
What makes nitric acid more hazardous than other strong acids?
Unlike hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, nitric acid is both a strong acid and a powerful oxidizing agent. This dual nature makes it far more reactive — it can cause ignition or violent reactions on contact with organic materials, combustibles, and reducing agents. Concentrated nitric acid also produces toxic nitrogen dioxide fumes.
How is nitric acid delivered?
Alexander Chemical delivers nitric acid via bulk tankers, intermediate bulk containers (totes), and drums based on your volume and site requirements. All deliveries are handled through Circle Transport, our dedicated logistics partner.
How should nitric acid be stored?
Nitric acid should be stored in stainless steel or passivated aluminum tanks in a well-ventilated area, away from organics, combustibles, and strong reducing agents. Carbon steel is not compatible. Alexander Chemical provides tank inspection and maintenance support as part of our delivery and compliance services.
What industries use nitric acid?
Nitric acid is used in agricultural chemicals (fertilizers), explosives and defense manufacturing, metal processing and finishing, pharmaceutical synthesis, specialty chemical production, rocket propulsion, and laboratory and analytical chemistry.
Where to buy nitric acid in bulk?
Alexander Chemical supplies bulk nitric acid with nationwide delivery. Contact our team to discuss your volume requirements, delivery schedule, and pricing.