Need Nitric Acid? Buy From Leading Chemical Manufacturers
Nitric acid (HNO3) is a strong and highly corrosive mineral acid with widespread uses across various industries.
Chemical characteristics:
- Acidity: Nitric acid is a powerful acid. It releases hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water. It is one of the six strong mineral acids and is highly corrosive
- Chemical formula: Its chemical formula is HNO3, consisting of one hydrogen atom (H), one nitrogen atom (N), and three oxygen atoms (O)
- Colour and appearance: Pure nitric acid is a colourless liquid, but may appear yellowish due to the presence of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) fumes
- Odour: Nitric acid emits pungent, choking fumes and has a distinct odour that is sharp and biting
- Concentration: Nitric acid is commercially available in various concentrations, including highly concentrated forms such as fuming nitric acid
Nitric acid is indispensable in industries like agriculture, mining, and chemical manufacturing, where it is essential for the production of fertilisers, explosives, and a wide range of chemical products. In the pharmaceutical and laboratory sectors, it plays a crucial role in chemical analysis and research.
This acid is also used in metallurgy, where it helps maintain the quality of metal products by removing impurities and surface contaminants. Its application in rocket propellants and explosives makes nitric acid significant in defence and aerospace industries.
ReAgent’s Nitric Acid: Specifications
You can buy nitric acid online from ReAgent, a leading nitric acid manufacturer with nearly 50 years’ experience. We supply HNO3 in a range of concentrations and grades, including:
We maintain high purity across all our nitric acid products, with each one being manufactured in line with our ISO 9001-approved Quality Management System. For example, our technical and laboratory grades of nitric acid have the following maximum limits of impurities:
- Chloride: <0.005%
- Sulphate: <0.01%
- Lead: <2 ppm
- Arsenic: <1 ppm
- Iron: <20 ppm
When you buy from ReAgent, you can buy nitric acid in a range of pack sizes, from 2.5L containers to 1,000L IBCs. We also offer custom packaging and labelling services so that you can ship to your customers straightaway in branded packages.
But what really makes our nitric acid products stand out from others on the market is their adherence to strict quality standards. Every product we sell is 100% guaranteed to specification, giving you peace of mind while shopping.
We even offer a bespoke blending service. If we haven’t listed the particular type of grade you require, simply get in touch with our technical team and we’ll be happy to create a custom formulation that suits your exact requirements.
Applications of Nitric Acid
Nitric acid is known for its widespread uses across multiple industries. Most notably, it plays a pivotal role in the production of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), a crucial nitrogen-based fertiliser. In this context, nitric acid serves as the primary source of nitrate ions (NO3-). This is done by neutralising nitric acid with ammonia (NH3) to form NH4NO3.
The concentration of nitric acid used in this production process can be adjusted to control the composition of the resulting ammonium nitrate fertiliser. This allows for the production of products with specific nitrogen content to meet agricultural needs.
Nitric acid also plays an important role in metal etching and processing. As a constituent of nital solution, it is widely used as an etchant in metalworking and metallurgy to react with and dissolve certain metals. This reveals their microstructure and facilitates various metalworking processes.
Here is an overview of some of the other popular uses of nitric acid:
- Chemical manufacturing: Nitric acid is a crucial raw material in the production of various chemicals, including explosives like nitroglycerin.
- Laboratory and analytical chemistry: Nitric acid is commonly used in laboratories for various analytical techniques, including acid digestion of samples, preparation of reagents, and as a cleaning agent for glassware.
- Pharmaceuticals: Nitric acid is used in the synthesis of certain pharmaceuticals and in the production of nitroglycerin, a medication used for heart conditions.
- Water treatment: In water treatment, nitric acid can be used to adjust pH levels and remove heavy metals from wastewater.
- Explosives and munitions: Nitric acid is a key ingredient in the production of explosives used in military and mining applications.
- Rocket propellants: Nitric acid is used as a component in rocket propellants and fuels. For example, red fuming nitric acid (RFNA) is a common rocket propellant composed of 84% nitric acid, 13% dinitrogen tetroxide and 1–2% water.
ReAgent’s Quality Assurances
At ReAgent, we are committed to providing customers with unrivalled quality. We demonstrate this with our list of accreditations to ISO standards, including:
- ISO 9001:2015 Quality Standard. This demonstrates our commitment to maintaining a focus on quality in our products, services, and processes. It guarantees consistent quality, enhanced product safety, and full transparency. Our quality standards also extend to our suppliers so you know the materials used in our products are also of impeccable quality.
- ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Standard. This ensures we are always doing our part to minimise waste and work in an environmentally responsible manner. It guarantees environmental impact reduction, resource efficiency, supplier chain sustainability, and compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
- ISO 13485:2016 Quality Management Systems Standard. We adhere to the stringent requirements of a QMS specific to the medical devices industry. It guarantees media device safety, traceability, well-documented processes, and product accountability. It also ensures that potential risks associated with medical devices have been thoroughly assessed and addressed.
Source Your Nitric Acid from ReAgent Chemicals
ReAgent is one of the leading UK nitric acid suppliers, boasting almost 50 years of industry experience. With our state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, we are uniquely positioned to handle all of your chemical manufacturing needs, from off-the-shelf orders to bespoke blends.
When you buy nitric acid from ReAgent, you’re also benefiting from:
- Next-day delivery with ADR-approved couriers
- Discounts on bulk quantities
- An unwavering commitment to quality standards
- Personalised labelling and packaging services
- A huge range of pack sizes, from ampoules to IBCs
- Full traceability and documentation on all orders
Many of our customers now enjoy the convenience of buying nitric acid online. This is the simplest and fastest way to order, but if you need something bespoke, or would like to know more about how we can help your business, simply contact our team of experts.
Nitric Acid: Storage Recommendations
In concentrated solutions, nitric acid is strongly acidic, highly corrosive and emits hazardous fumes. Always refer to the product’s MSDS for information on how to handle and store this chemical safely.
Proper storage of nitric acid is essential not only to ensure safety, but also to maintain the product’s effectiveness. Here are important storage recommendations for nitric acid:
- Store containers made of materials that can resist its corrosive properties. Suitable materials include glass, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or fluorinated plastics
- Ensure that the storage container is tightly sealed to prevent contamination, the evaporation of nitric acid fumes and the escape of hazardous vapours
- Store in a well-ventilated area with good air circulation. Keep away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and open flames, since nitric acid is flammable and reactive
- Store nitric acid separately from incompatible materials that could react with it, including strong bases, organic materials, and reducing agents
- Consider using secondary containment measures, such as trays or bunds, to contain spills and leaks and prevent accidental contamination of the storage area
Buy nitric acid from UK chemical suppliers, ReAgent. Or, if you’re looking for something else, browse our wide selection of acids.