Substance profile
Nitric acid
Nitric acid is a transparent, colorless, or yellowish, fuming, hygroscopic, corrosive liquid with a characteristic choking odor.
01 · Identification
What Nitric acid is
Nitric acid is a transparent, colorless, or yellowish, fuming, hygroscopic, corrosive liquid with a characteristic choking odor. It boils at 83 °C, melts at -41.6 °C, is very soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
Other names for Nitric acid
- aqua fortis
- HNO3
- Azotic Acid
- Hydrogen Nitrate
- Nital
- Nitric Acid (Conc 80% Or Greater)
- Nitric Acid (Hono2)
- Nitric Acid, Fuming
- Nitric Acid, Red Fuming
- Nitryl Hydroxide
- Nitric Acid, Other Than Red Fuming
- nitric acid ...% [C > 70 %]
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H272 | May intensify fire; oxidiser. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH071
Precautionary statements: P260, P271, P280, P301, P304, P310, P331
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Nitric acid properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 83 °C (181.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 82.78 °C (181 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 82.78 °C (181 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -41.6 °C (-42.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| -37.62 °C (-35.7 °F) | HSDB | ||
| -42.22 °C (-44 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.5129 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| 1.5 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Very soluble in water | HSDB | |
| Miscible with water | HSDB | ||
| Miscible | NIOSH | ||
| Vapor pressure | 48 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 63.1 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Not combustible | HSDB | |
| Noncombustible Liquid, but increases the flammability of combustible materials. | NIOSH | ||
| Vapor density | 2.2 (air = 1) | ICSC | |
| Odor threshold | Odor low: 0.75 mg/cu m; Odor high: 2.50 mg/cu m; Irritating concn: 155.0 mg/cu m. | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.27 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor threshold from AIHA | Haz-Map | ||
| Corrosivity | IN PRESENCE OF TRACES OF OXIDES IT ATTACKS ALL BASE METALS EXCEPT ALUMINUM & SPECIAL CHROMIUM STEELS | HSDB | |
| Nitric acid will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings. | HSDB | ||
| Caustic and corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Nitric acid
Storage conditions
As a rule, nitric acid is stored in stainless steel tanks and transported in stainless steel containers.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Reacts violently with combustible or readily oxidizable materials such as alcohols, turpentine, charcoal, organic refuse. Reacts with most metals to release hydrogen gas.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Nitric acid in the storage compatibility matrix →
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