Industrial chemicals · Taylor, TXTechnical Data Sheet
Nitric Acid 20% Technical Grade
Technical · 20%
- CAS number
- 7697-37-2
- UN number
- UN2031
- Hazard class · packing group
- 8 · PG II
- Structure
Structure · PubChem - Grade
- Technical · 20%
- Signal word
- Danger
- Hazards
- Proper shipping name
- Nitric acid, other than red fuming, with not more than 20 percent nitric acid
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
- —PubChem
- Product Type
- Solution
Specifications
| Test | Specification | Typical | Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assay (HNO3) | 19.5 - 20.5% | 20.11 % | — | Interpreted |
| Color (APHA) | <= 100 | 10 | — | Interpreted |
| Nitrite (NO2) | <=100 ppm | 0.44 ppm | — | Interpreted |
| Chloride (Cl) | <= 10 ppm | 0.021 ppm | — | Interpreted |
| Iron (Fe) | <= 10 ppm | 0.0071 ppm | — | Interpreted |
| Phosphate (PO4) | 0.0001 % max | 0.0000019 % | Molybdenum blue colorimetric | Interpreted |
| Substances reducing permanganate (as HNO2) | 0.00015 % max | 0.000021 % | Titrimetric, KMnO4 decolorization | Interpreted |
| Lead (Pb) | 0.0000022% max | 0.00000018 % | — | Interpreted |
| Residue after Ignition | 4.5 ppm max | 0.25 ppm | — | Interpreted |
| Sulfates (SO4) | 1.6 ppm max | 0.044 ppm | — | Interpreted |
| fluoride | 1.5 ppm max | 0.015 ppm | — | Interpreted |
| oxides of nitrogen | 31 ppm max | 0.29 ppm | — | Interpreted |
| oxidizable constituents as hno2 | 4.6 ppm max | 0.21 ppm | — | Interpreted |
| non-volatiles | 0.016 % max | 0.000040 % | — | Interpreted |
| Composition | 20 % nitric acid in deionized water, by weight | Conforms | By formulation; confirmed by specific gravity | Interpreted |
Values are reproduced from the current product reference. Source labels do not by themselves establish a supplier guarantee or a test result for your lot. Confirm applicable acceptance limits and request lot-specific documentation.
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 → |
| ACS Grade | 65% | — | nitric-acid-65 | 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 → |
| Technical | 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 | Clear, colorless to slightly yellow liquid | Adjudicated |
| Form | Liquid | Published reference |
| Odor | Acrid, pungent odor | Adjudicated |
| pH | < 1 | Adjudicated |
| Specific Gravity | 1.11 at 20 °C (water = 1) | Adjudicated |
| 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 |
| Flash Point | Not applicable | Adjudicated |
| Vapor Pressure | 48 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024) | Published reference |
| Solubility (water) | Completely miscible with water (releases heat) | Adjudicated |
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.
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 HCS 2024
- 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
- 2 ppm TWA / 4 ppm STELAdjudicated
- 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: NIOSH Pocket Guide for REL/IDLH, OSHA Z-Tables for PEL. Always verify against the latest regulatory text before shipment-critical decisions.
Health & Fire Hazard
Acute Toxicology
- LC₅₀ Inhalation (rat, 4 h)
- > 2.65 mg/L (nitric acid); the basis for the inhalation classification by dilutionAdjudicated
Acute toxicology values from SDS Section 11 or NIOSH RTECS.
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% | Unverified candidate | 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
- Keep closed in polyethylene, glass or stainless-steel containers, never ordinary metal. Keep away from bases, bleach, organics and combustibles.Adjudicated
- 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; combustible and organic materials, alcohols and solvents; reducing agents; cyanides and sulfides; most metals (release nitrogen oxides and hydrogen); bleach (releases chlorine).Adjudicated
- 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, Chief Commercial Officer, DOT Hazmat–certified (49 CFR 172.704).
| Version | Date | Change | Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 2026-10-08 | Canonical data updated: 15 fields changed via the provenance/adjudication pipeline.
| canonical_change |
| 1.5 | 2026-09-30 | Canonical data updated: 1 field changed via the provenance/adjudication pipeline.
| canonical_change |
| 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.