Nitric acid is a strong oxidising acid used wherever metals must be cleaned, pickled, or nitrated. Because it is both corrosive and a powerful oxidiser, it demands more careful storage and handling than a simple mineral acid.
Supreme Petro Chemicals supplies nitric acid from Chennai to metal-processing, chemical, and laboratory buyers across South India.
What Is Nitric Acid?
Nitric acid has CAS number 7697-37-2 and molecular formula HNO3. Commercial concentrations are typically around 60–70%; fuming grades are higher and more aggressively oxidising. Always specify concentration, because handling and material compatibility change sharply with strength.
Industrial Applications
- Metal pickling: Cleaning and surface preparation of stainless steel and other metals before finishing.
- Nitration chemistry: Production of nitro compounds and intermediates.
- Surface treatment: Passivation of stainless steel.
- Laboratories: Reagent and digestion acid where the correct grade is specified.
- Fertiliser and chemical manufacturing: Feedstock in selected processes.
Oxidiser Handling and Storage
Nitric acid is corrosive and a strong oxidiser. Keep it away from organics, reducing agents, and incompatible metals, and store it in compatible containers in a cool, ventilated area. Use acid-resistant PPE, face protection, and compatible transfer equipment, and follow the SDS for spill response and incompatibilities.
Packaging and Supply
Nitric acid is commonly supplied in carboys and drums depending on concentration and site controls. Specify concentration, quantity, packing, and delivery location, and confirm your receiving site has compatible storage and spill containment.
Get a Nitric Acid Quote
For nitric acid supply from Chennai, view nitric acid in our catalogue, call +91 86087 80096, WhatsApp an enquiry, or use the SPC enquiry form.
Grades & Packaging
Nitric acid is sold commercially at different strengths, and the strength determines both the application it suits and how it must be stored. These are standard, widely recognised grade descriptions rather than SPC-specific figures:
- CAS number: 7697-37-2; molecular formula HNO3.
- Dilute nitric acid (commonly around 60% strength): the concentration typically used for general pickling and process applications.
- Concentrated nitric acid (commonly around 68-70% strength): the standard "concentrated" commercial grade used for more demanding pickling, passivation, and nitration steps.
- Fuming nitric acid (well above 86% strength): a more aggressively oxidising grade reserved for specific nitration and reagent applications.
- Laboratory reagent grade: a higher-purity grade used for analytical and digestion work where a validated grade is specified.
- Packaging: commonly supplied in acid-resistant HDPE carboys and HDPE-lined drums for standard orders, with bulk tank trucks or ISO tankers arranged for larger volumes.
- Storage materials: requires HDPE, PP, or other acid- and oxidiser-compatible containers; ordinary mild-steel drums are not suitable.
FAQ
What is the CAS number and chemical formula of nitric acid?
Nitric acid carries CAS number 7697-37-2 and the molecular formula HNO3. Always confirm the CAS number against your purchase order and the Certificate of Analysis, since the commercial strength supplied (dilute, concentrated, or fuming) changes the correct handling and storage requirements.
What packaging is nitric acid supplied in for industrial orders?
Nitric acid is commonly supplied in acid-resistant HDPE carboys and HDPE-lined drums for standard orders, with bulk tank trucks or ISO tankers arranged for larger volumes. Confirm your receiving site has compatible storage, since ordinary mild-steel containers are not suitable for nitric acid.
How do I get a quote for nitric acid from SPC?
Share your required concentration, quantity, packaging preference, and delivery location via the contact page. Quotes are typically answered within 4 working hours, Monday to Saturday.