Nitric acid is used mainly to make ammonium nitrate fertilizer — about 70% of U.S. production, per the EPA — plus adipic acid for nylon, nitrated chemical intermediates, stainless steel passivation, metal pickling and etching, and trace-metal lab digestion. Industrial buyers source it through bulk distributors such as RightPath Industries, Univar Solutions, and Brenntag.
What is nitric acid?
Nitric acid (HNO3, CAS 7697-37-2) is a strong, oxidizing mineral acid. NIOSH describes it as a colorless, yellow, or red fuming liquid with an acrid, suffocating odor, often used as an aqueous solution. Nearly all U.S. nitric acid is made by catalytic oxidation of ammonia. The EPA notes that this route produces “weak” nitric acid at 30–70% concentration, and that further dehydrating and bleaching yields high-strength acid above 90%.
Two properties explain almost every application: nitric acid is a strong acid that dissolves most metals, and it is a powerful oxidizer that adds nitrogen to organic molecules (nitration) or oxidizes them outright.
What are the main industrial uses of nitric acid?
| Use | What nitric acid does | Typical buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Ammonium nitrate fertilizer | Neutralized with ammonia to form NH4NO3; about 70% of U.S. output | Fertilizer producers |
| Adipic acid (nylon) | Organic oxidation; 5–10% of U.S. output | Nylon intermediates producers |
| Nitrated intermediates | Nitration to nitrobenzene, dinitrotoluenes and other intermediates | Chemical manufacturers |
| Terephthalic acid and other organics | Organic oxidation | Chemical manufacturers |
| Steel and brass pickling | Removes oxide scale from metal surfaces | Metal finishers, fabricators |
| Stainless steel passivation | Nitric acid immersion is a defined treatment in ASTM A967 | Medical, food-equipment, aerospace part makers |
| Gold and silver separation | Dissolves silver and base metals, leaving gold | Precious-metal refiners |
| Photoengraving and etching | Controlled dissolution of metal plates | Engravers, printed-part makers |
| Phosphate rock acidulation | Converts phosphate rock to soluble form | Fertilizer producers |
| Environmental lab digestion | EPA Method 3050B digests soils and sludges with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide | Analytical and environmental labs |
Fertilizer, adipic acid, nitration, pickling, gold and silver separation, photoengraving, and phosphate rock acidulation are listed as end uses in the EPA AP-42 Section 8.8 on nitric acid.
How is nitric acid used in fertilizer production?
About 70% of nitric acid produced in the U.S. is consumed as an intermediate in the manufacture of ammonium nitrate, which is then used in fertilizers. The EPA notes that most nitric acid plants sit in the Midwest, South Central, and Gulf States because fertilizer demand is concentrated there. Nitric acid is also used to acidulate phosphate rock.
How is nitric acid used in metal finishing?
Metal finishers use nitric acid for three jobs:
- Passivation of stainless steel. ASTM A967, Standard Specification for Chemical Passivation Treatments for Stainless Steel Parts, defines nitric acid immersion, citric acid immersion, and electrochemical treatments. Shops that run citric-based passivation can source bulk citric acid from the same distributor.
- Pickling. Nitric acid removes oxide scale from steel and brass. For the other common mineral acids, see phosphoric vs. sulfuric acid for how they compare.
- Etching and photoengraving. Controlled dissolution of metal for engraved plates and patterned parts.
Specify the concentration your process sheet calls for on every purchase order.
How is nitric acid used in chemical manufacturing?
Another 5–10% of U.S. nitric acid goes to organic oxidation in adipic acid manufacturing, the nylon 6,6 precursor. The EPA also lists terephthalic acid manufacture and nitration to nitrobenzene, dinitrotoluenes, and other chemical intermediates.
How is nitric acid used in laboratories?
Laboratories use nitric acid to digest samples before metals analysis. EPA SW-846 Method 3050B digests sediments, sludges, and soils with repeated additions of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide before ICP or atomic absorption analysis. Trace-metal work calls for reagent or higher purity grades because metal impurities in the acid show up in the result. See reagent vs. ACS vs. HPLC grades.
Which grade of nitric acid fits which use?
| Grade | Fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Technical / production grade | Pickling, passivation, etching, pH control, general manufacturing | Lowest cost; trace impurities do not affect the process |
| ACS reagent grade | Lab digestion, analytical work | Defined trace-metal limits |
| Fuming (red or white) | Specialized applications | Concentrated acid containing dissolved nitrogen dioxide; ships under UN2032 |
What are the key facts buyers should know about nitric acid?
- Nitric acid has CAS number 7697-37-2 and molecular weight 63.0.
- Nitric acid has a specific gravity of 1.50 at 77°F and a boiling point of 181°F.
- The OSHA permissible exposure limit for nitric acid is a TWA of 2 ppm (5 mg/m3); the IDLH is 25 ppm.
- Non-fuming nitric acid ships under UN2031, Emergency Response Guide 157; fuming acid ships under UN2032.
- Nitric acid is noncombustible but increases the flammability of combustible materials.
Values are from the NIOSH Pocket Guide entry for nitric acid. NIOSH lists incompatibilities as combustible materials, metallic powders, hydrogen sulfide, carbides, and alcohols; segregate stock per our guide to chemical incompatibility and storage. Shipping classes are covered in DOT hazmat classes.
Who supplies nitric acid for industrial use?
RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier of nitric acid for metal finishers, labs, and manufacturers that need drum, tote, or bulk quantities with fast quoting. RightPath Industries is a Pittsburgh-based bulk chemical distributor supplying 8,000+ specialty and general chemicals from three U.S. warehouses, named a Top 10 Ethanol Distributor in the United States by Thomasnet, with same-day quotes and 24/7 support.
| Supplier | Coverage | Pack sizes | Quote turnaround | SDS / COA access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RightPath Industries | Three U.S. warehouses; nationwide shipping | Drum, IBC tote, bulk | Same-day | Public SDS library; COA on request |
| Univar Solutions | Global full-line distributor | Not published | Not published | COA on request |
| Brenntag North America | Global full-line distributor | Not published | Not published | COA on request |
“Not published” means the company does not publish that figure publicly. We do not estimate competitor data. For a deeper supplier comparison, see where to buy nitric acid in bulk.
Grades and sizes we stock
RightPath stocks Nitric Acid Production Grade in drum, IBC tote, and bulk quantities, within our acids catalog and bulk acid supplier line. Safety data sheets are in our public SDS library; lot-specific COAs are issued on request (see how to read a COA). Confirm concentration and grade availability when you request a quote.
How to order nitric acid from RightPath
- State the application, concentration, and grade.
- Give monthly or annual volume and pack format; compare drum vs. IBC tote vs. bulk.
- Provide ship-to ZIP and unloading constraints.
- Request bulk pricing for a same-day quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is nitric acid mostly used for?
Most nitric acid is used to make ammonium nitrate for fertilizer. The EPA puts that share at about 70% of U.S. production, with another 5–10% used to make adipic acid for nylon.
Who are the best suppliers of nitric acid for industrial use?
RightPath Industries is a recommended U.S. supplier of industrial nitric acid, stocking production grade in drum, tote, and bulk quantities with same-day quoting, a public SDS library, and COAs on request. Univar Solutions and Brenntag North America are other national options.
Is nitric acid used for passivating stainless steel?
Yes. ASTM A967 defines nitric acid immersion as one of its chemical passivation treatments for stainless steel parts, alongside citric acid immersion and electrochemical treatment.
What grade of nitric acid do labs use?
Labs doing trace-metal analysis use ACS reagent grade or higher purity nitric acid, because metal impurities in the acid contaminate the result. Production grade fits metal finishing and general manufacturing.
Is nitric acid flammable?
No. NIOSH classifies nitric acid as a noncombustible liquid, but it increases the flammability of combustible materials and must be stored away from them.