Industrial chemicals · Taylor, TXTechnical Data Sheet
Nitric Acid 20% Technical Grade
Technical · 20%
Identity & Composition
- Product Name
- Nitric Acid 20% Technical Grade
- Alliance Code
- nitric-acid-20
- Grade
- Technical
- Concentration
- 20%
- CAS Number
- 7697-37-2PubChem
- Formula
- HNO3PubChem
- Molecular Weight
- 63.013PubChem
- Product Type
- solution
Specifications
| Test | Specification | Typical | Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assay (HNO3) | 19.5 - 20.5% | 20.0 % | — | Commercial practice |
| Nitrite (NO2) | <=100 ppm | 0.6 ppm | — | Supplier specification |
| Oxides of nitrogen | 143 ppm max | 0.6 ppm | — | Derived by dilution |
| Sulfates | < 2.86 ppm | 0.000012 % | — | Derived by dilution |
| Chloride (Cl) | <= 10 ppm | 0.09 ppm | — | Supplier specification |
| Iron (Fe) | <= 10 ppm | 0.3 ppm | — | Supplier specification |
| Residue after ignition | Max 8.8 ppm | 0.7 ppm | Gravimetric, evaporation and ignition at 800 C | Interpreted |
| Arsenic (As) | 0.0029 ppm max | 0.0006 ppm | — | Derived by dilution |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | 0.065 ppm max | 0.009 ppm | — | Derived by dilution |
| Lead (Pb) | 0.0000022% max | 0.0000003 % | — | Derived by dilution |
| Mercury (Hg) | 0.0014 ppm max | 0.00009 ppm | — | Derived by dilution |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0.021 ppm max | 0.004 ppm | — | Derived by dilution |
| Phosphate (PO4) | 0.0001 % max | 0.00001 % | Molybdenum blue colorimetric | Derived by dilution |
| Substances reducing permanganate (as HNO2) | 0.00015 % max | 0.00006 % | Titrimetric, KMnO4 decolorization | Derived by dilution |
| fluoride | 1.5 ppm max | 0.06 ppm | — | Derived by dilution |
| oxidizable constituents as hno2 | 4.6 ppm max | 1.2 ppm | — | Derived by dilution |
| non-volatiles | 0.016 % max | 0.0012 % | — | Derived by dilution |
Specification values are guaranteed limits. Typical values are representative of production lots and are not guaranteed. Lot-specific certificates of analysis ship with every order.
Available GradesSame CAS, alternate grades and concentrations
| Grade | Concentration | Typical Assay | SKU | TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This grade Technical | 20% | — | current | current |
| ACS Grade | 70% | — | nitric-acid-70-acs-grade-low-particle | View TDS → |
| Technical | 70% | — | nitric-acid-70-technical-grade | View TDS → |
| ACS Grade | 69% | — | nitric-acid-acs-69-55-gallon-drum | View TDS → |
| Technical | 69% | — | nitric-acid-69-technical-grade | View TDS → |
| Technical | 65% | — | nitric-acid-65-technical-grade | View TDS → |
| Technical | 40% | — | nitric-acid-40 | View TDS → |
| Technical | 30% | — | nitric-acid-30 | View TDS → |
| Technical | 25% | — | nitric-acid-25 | View TDS → |
| Reagent | 5% | — | nitric-acid-5 | View TDS → |
Typical assay shown is the rolling-window mean from the sibling product's most recent lots. Grade selection drives downstream end-use — verify the sibling grade matches your specification before substitution.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless to a pale yellow | Supplier specification |
| Form | Liquid | Published reference |
| Color | <= 100 | Supplier specification |
| Odor | Characteristic choking odor | Published reference |
| Specific Gravity (20 °C) | 1.112 - 1.118 | Interpreted |
| Density | 1.117 (20% w/w aqueous solution, 20 °C) | Published reference |
| Boiling Point | Not characterized for the 20% solution | Published reference |
| Melting Point | Not characterized for the 20% solution | Published reference |
| Vapor Pressure | 48 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024) | Published reference |
| Solubility (water) | Miscible (NIOSH, 2024) | Published reference |
Strong acid — density and vapor-pressure values shown are at 20 °C; values shift markedly with concentration and temperature. Reference concentration-temperature curves before specifying equipment.
Materials of Construction
| Material | Rating | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| chromium | Compatible | hot nitric acid; concentration not stated | itwreagents.com |
Compatibility is drawn from published manufacturer and supplier documentation for this product; each rating is sourced. Confirm against your specific duty cycle before equipment selection.
Materials Selection Tool
Showing 17 of 17 materials compatible at the selected envelope.
| Material | Rating | Max T (°C) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Buna-N (NBR) elastomer | Poor | — | Hardens and cracks; do not use. |
EPDM elastomer | Good | 80 | Standard for HCl and H2SO4 gaskets. |
Viton (FKM) elastomer | Good | 80 | Acceptable for HCl gaskets up to 37 %. |
PTFE fluoropolymer | Excellent | 200 | Universal acid compatibility. |
PVDF (Kynar) fluoropolymer | Excellent | 120 | Excellent for HCl piping at elevated temperature. |
Borosilicate Glass glass ceramic | Excellent | 100 | Inert to most strong acids (avoid HF). |
Glass (borosilicate) glass ceramic | Excellent | 100 | Inert under all conditions |
316 stainless steel metal | Poor | 25 | Severe pitting; use only for vapors |
Aluminium metal | Not recommended | — | Reacts to form H2 gas |
Carbon Steel metal | Not recommended | — | Catastrophic corrosion; never use. |
Hastelloy C-276 metal | Excellent | 80 | Preferred metal for concentrated HCl service. |
Inconel 625 metal | Good | 60 | Acceptable for dilute service |
Tantalum metal | Excellent | 100 | Best-in-class but expensive |
CPVC thermoplastic | Excellent | 90 | Higher-temp variant of PVC. |
FRP (vinyl ester) thermoplastic | Good | 60 | Common bulk-storage tank material |
HDPE thermoplastic | Excellent | 60 | Standard tank/drum material for HCl up to 37 %. |
PVC thermoplastic | Excellent | 60 | Common for piping; verify rating for service > 50 °C. |
Regulatory & Transport
DOT / 49 CFR
- UN Number
- UN203149 CFR 172.101
- Hazard Class
- 8Adjudicated
- Packing Group
- IIAdjudicated
- Proper Shipping Name
- Nitric acid, other than red fuming, with not more than 20 percent nitric acidAdjudicated
GHS / OSHA HazCom 2012
- Signal Word
- DangerAdjudicated
- H-Codes (Hazard Statements)
- H290, H314, H332Adjudicated
- P-Codes (Precautionary Statements)
- P234, P260, P264, P271, P280, P301+P330+P331, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P321, P363, P390, P405, P406, P501Adjudicated
Occupational Exposure Limits
- OSHA PEL (29 CFR 1910.1000)
- 2 ppm TWAOSHA 29 CFR 1910.1000
- ACGIH TLV
- —no canonical
- NIOSH REL
- 2 ppm TWA / 4 ppm STELNIOSH Pocket Guide
- NIOSH IDLH
- 25 ppmNIOSH Pocket Guide
Transport descriptions reflect 49 CFR 172.101 lookup at time of publication. Sourced data: ECHA CLP Annex VI for harmonised classifications, NIOSH Pocket Guide for REL/IDLH, OSHA Z-Tables for PEL. Always verify against the latest regulatory text before shipment-critical decisions.
Supplier Qualification Packet
One zipped download containing the TDS, SDS, latest lot COA (when available), and a fresh Letter of Continuing Guaranty for Nitric Acid 20% Technical Grade. Every file included is SHA-256 hashed and listed in a manifest your QA team can audit.
Catalog EquivalentsCross-reference vs major chemical suppliers
Sigma-Aldrich
| SKU | Grade | Conc. | Match | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 438073 | ACS Reagent | 70% | Exact | ACS Reagent fuming-free 70% |
Cross-references are informational. Confirm against the manufacturer's current specification before substitution. Competitor trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Applications
- Used as a laboratory chemical, chemical reagent and oxidizerlaballey.com
- Used for gold recovery, etching, and testing jewelry and silverlaballey.com
- Production of fertilizers, dyes, and explosives.itwreagents.com
- Production of soluble metal nitrates.itwreagents.com
- Detection of aromatic amino acids and proteins through the xanthoprotein reaction.itwreagents.com
Applications are drawn from published manufacturer and supplier documentation; each is sourced. Suitability for a specific use is the buyer's to confirm.
Storage & Handling
- Recommended Storage
- Cool, dry, well-ventilated area in compatible containers (lined steel, HDPE, FRP — verify per concentration). Segregate from bases, oxidizers, metals, and cyanides.Class-level guidance — not product-specific; the SDS controls.
- Handling Precautions
- Use full PPE including face shield, acid-resistant gloves and apron. Add acid to water slowly with stirring; never reverse. Ventilation required.Class-level guidance — not product-specific; the SDS controls.
- Incompatibilities
- Bases, active metals (aluminium, zinc), cyanides, sulfides, oxidizing agents. Reacts violently with organic anhydrides.Class-level guidance — not product-specific; the SDS controls.
- Shelf Life
- Consult Technical Services for product-specific shelf life
For full hazard, PPE, and emergency response guidance, refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product. The SDS controls in all cases where guidance differs.
Packaging & Logistics
Shipping Description (US DOT)
UN2031, Nitric acid, other than red fuming, with not more than 20 percent nitric acid, 8, PG II
Sourced from 49 CFR 172.101. Confirm against shipping documents and carrier requirements before tender.
Revision History
Last reviewed 2026-07-17 by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist.
| Version | Date | Change | Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 2026-08-05 | Canonical data updated: 1 field changed via the provenance/adjudication pipeline.
| canonical_change |
| 1.3 | 2026-07-22 | Canonical data updated: 1 field changed via the provenance/adjudication pipeline.
| canonical_change |
| 1.2 | 2026-07-21 | Canonical data updated: 3 fields changed via the provenance/adjudication pipeline.
| canonical_change |
| 1.1 | 2026-07-17 | Canonical data re-verified: 7 fields updated against independent vendor SDSs, CLP Annex VI, 49 CFR, and OSHA HazCom 2024 (GHS classification, hazard/precautionary codes, signal word, physical properties as applicable).
| canonical_change |
| 1.0 | 2026-05-20 | Initial URL-first TDS published from canonical chemistry registry. | initial |
This Technical Data Sheet is provided for technical reference. The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) controls in all cases where guidance differs. Values reflect Alliance Chemical canonical data at time of generation; subsequent revisions are recorded in the Revision History above.