Where to buy nitric acid

Trying to find nitric acid can feel a bit like searching for a secret ingredient in a chemistry experiment, right? You’re not alone if you’ve found yourself wondering where to even begin looking. The truth is, while it’s a powerful chemical used for many things, from gold recovery to laboratory work, buying nitric acid as an individual isn’t as simple as picking up some household cleaner at your local store.

To buy nitric acid, your best bet is usually through specialized online chemical suppliers like Lab Alley or DIYChemicals, and sometimes even through larger online retailers like Walmart which often hosts third-party sellers for industrial-grade chemicals. However, keep in mind that due to its corrosive nature and regulatory restrictions, especially for higher concentrations typically above 20%, you’ll often encounter specific shipping requirements, HazMat fees, and sometimes even limitations on who can purchase it. For smaller, diluted quantities, particularly those used in gold testing kits, these can be more readily found online. If you’re looking for larger quantities or higher concentrations, be prepared for more stringent purchasing processes, as many suppliers cater exclusively to businesses or educational institutions.

This guide will break down the different avenues for buying nitric acid, whether you need it for gold refining, testing, or other applications, and what you need to know about the grades, concentrations, and safety measures involved.

When you’re looking to get your hands on nitric acid, you’ll find that your options generally fall into a few categories: online chemical suppliers, large online marketplaces, and in some cases, specialized local distributors for businesses. What you need to buy will largely depend on the concentration and quantity you’re looking for, as well as your intended use.

Online Chemical Suppliers: Your Most Reliable Bet

For most folks looking for nitric acid, especially in various concentrations and grades, dedicated online chemical suppliers are often the go-to. These companies specialize in handling and shipping regulated chemicals, ensuring they comply with safety standards.

Popular Online Options

• Lab Alley: This is one of the more prominent names you’ll see. They offer nitric acid solutions in various sizes, from 500ml up to larger quantities, with different concentrations and grades, including lab/technical grade and ACS Reagent Grade. They’re known for shipping quickly, though you’ll need to be mindful of their product properties, uses, prices, and safety information. You can check out their range of Nitric Acid Solutions on their site.
• DIYChemicals: As the name suggests, this supplier caters to both professionals and serious hobbyists. They offer industrial-grade nitric acid, typically around 67% concentration, and often highlight its use in gold refining processes. They boast free shipping and no HazMat fees on some orders over $25, which can be a huge plus, but always double-check the specific product details.
• Metsuco: If you’re searching for high-purity industrial-grade nitric acid for labs, manufacturing, or cleaning, Metsuco is another online option to consider. They emphasize trusted quality with fast shipping.
• The Science Company: This site offers concentrated nitric acid 69-71% and lower concentrations like 10% nitric acid. They are transparent about HazMat fees and the requirement for an adult signature upon delivery, and note that shipping to a commercial address is suggested over a residence due to the hazardous nature of the product.

When ordering from these suppliers, you’ll typically find concentrations ranging from 10% all the way up to 70% or higher. It’s crucial to understand the grade you need. “ACS grade” is top-notch for research and analytical chemistry, while “technical grade” is more for industrial applications.

Large Online Marketplaces: A Mixed Bag

You might be surprised to find nitric acid listings on major online retail platforms. However, it’s a bit more nuanced here.

Walmart.com

Yes, you can actually find nitric acid for sale on Walmart.com. Often, these listings are from third-party sellers like Duda Energy or JSP, who specialize in industrial chemicals. For instance, Duda Energy offers industrial-grade nitric acid at 67.2% purity, often marketed for gold, platinum, and silver recovery. You might also find aqua regia gold refining kits that include nitric acid at concentrations around 69.8%.

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It’s important to remember that even if you’re buying through Walmart’s platform, the shipping and handling will still be subject to hazardous material regulations, often including HazMat fees and requiring adult signatures upon delivery. A quick search on Walmart.com for “nitric acid” will show you current availability and pricing.

eBay with caution

Historically, eBay used to be a source for nitric acid, with some users finding good deals on 70% laboratory-grade nitric acid for gold and silver recovery. However, recent reports indicate that eBay has been removing nitric acid listings due to its hazardous material policy, classifying it as a “precursor chemical for explosives”. While nitric acid has many legitimate scientific uses and is legal to purchase without a license, eBay’s policy has made it a less reliable, and often unavailable, source for concentrated forms. So, while you might still stumble upon related products, direct sales of nitric acid are increasingly rare there.

Where to Buy Nitric Acid Locally and Near Me

Finding nitric acid “locally” or “near me” for individual purchase can be quite a challenge, primarily due to regulatory hurdles and the specialized nature of the product. Most physical stores you’d typically visit, like hardware stores or general retailers, don’t carry it.

Specialized Chemical Distributors Business-to-Business

For businesses, laboratories, and educational institutions, local chemical distributors are a common source. Companies like GJ Chemical and Hawkins, Inc. distribute nitric acid in bulk or smaller quantities to various industries for industrial, cleaning, and laboratory applications. However, these suppliers almost exclusively sell to companies, municipalities, or government entities, not to individuals. They often require you to request a quote and have an established business account. Office coffee machine for commercial use

If you represent a school or business, you might also find suppliers like Carolina Biological Supply, though they explicitly state that their nitric acid products are “sold and shipped to schools and businesses only” and are “not available to individuals or residential addresses”.

What About Home Depot or Walmart Stores?

When people ask “does Home Depot sell nitric acid” or “can you buy nitric acid at Walmart,” the answer for physical stores is generally no. You won’t find concentrated nitric acid on the shelves of your local hardware store or general retail chain. The Walmart.com listings are for online delivery, usually from third-party sellers, and don’t reflect in-store availability. Similarly, Home Depot primarily focuses on consumer-grade products and does not typically stock strong, regulated chemicals like nitric acid.

Can You Get Small Amounts for Gold Testing Locally?

For very small, diluted amounts, specifically for gold testing, you might have a tiny bit more luck. Some jewelry supply stores or pawn shop suppliers might carry small bottles of gold testing acid. These are typically highly diluted solutions, often labeled as “10K acid” or “14K acid,” and are designed for specific testing rather than general chemical use. These kits often contain nitric acid along with muriatic acid. It’s worth calling ahead to specialty shops in your area.

Nitric Acid for Specific Applications

The intended use of nitric acid often dictates the concentration and grade you need, and consequently, where you can buy it. Where to buy gift boxes

Where to Buy Nitric Acid for Gold Recovery / Gold Refining

This is one of the most common reasons individuals seek nitric acid. Nitric acid is a key component in a process called “aqua regia,” which is used to dissolve noble metals like gold and platinum. This potent mixture is typically made by blending hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, often in a 3:1 ratio.

Many online suppliers, including Lab Alley, DIYChemicals, and various sellers on Walmart.com, explicitly market nitric acid for gold refining and recovery. You’ll often find it in concentrations around 67-70% for these purposes. For example, JSP offers a 32 oz bottle of 69.8% nitric acid specifically for gold refining.

You can find entire gold refining kits that include both nitric and hydrochloric acid. Remember, handling these chemicals for gold recovery requires significant safety precautions, including proper personal protective equipment PPE like gloves, safety goggles, and lab coats, and working in a well-ventilated area.

Where to Buy Nitric Acid for Gold Testing

If you’re just looking to test gold, you generally need much smaller, more diluted quantities. Gold testing kits are widely available and include small bottles of specific karat testing acids, which contain nitric acid. Picking the Perfect Sewing Machine Needle for Wool: Your Ultimate Guide

These kits are easy to use: you rub the item on a testing stone, apply a drop of acid, and observe the reaction. You can buy these kits from jewelry supply stores, Amazon, or other online retailers that cater to jewelers and pawn shops. A search for “nitric acid gold test kit” will yield many options.

Nitric Acid in the Philippines

For those in the Philippines, buying nitric acid also primarily involves specialized chemical suppliers. Companies like SBS Philippines Corporation and Cebu Chemical Suppliers offer nitric acid for industrial and agricultural applications. Online marketplaces like Lazada.com.ph also list nitric acid, often from local sellers, in various volumes and concentrations e.g., 250ML to 1 liter of 68% HNO3. Similar to the US, these are typically for industrial or professional use, and purchasers should be aware of safe handling and local regulations.

Understanding Nitric Acid: Grades, Concentrations, and Safety

Before you even think about buying nitric acid, it’s super important to understand what you’re getting and how to handle it safely. This isn’t like buying a gallon of milk. it’s a powerful and corrosive chemical.

What Do “Grades” Mean?

When you see different “grades” of nitric acid, it refers to its purity and intended use:

• ACS Grade: This is the crème de la crème, meeting strict standards set by the American Chemical Society. It’s incredibly pure, making it ideal for sensitive scientific research and analytical chemistry where impurities could throw off your results.
• AR Grade Analytical Reagent: Also very pure, but maybe not quite as rigorously controlled as ACS grade. It’s perfect for most general lab work, cleaning glassware, and testing that doesn’t demand the absolute highest purity.
• Lab/Technical Grade: This is good for general laboratory purposes and industrial applications where extreme purity isn’t the primary concern. Many gold refining applications use this grade.
• Industrial Grade: Typically less pure and used in large-scale industrial processes like metal cleaning, fertilizer production, and etching.

Concentrations

Nitric acid comes in various concentrations, usually expressed as a percentage by weight w/w or volume v/v: How to close a vpn

• Diluted Solutions: You’ll find concentrations as low as 10% or even 5% for less aggressive applications or specific testing.
• Concentrated Nitric Acid: This usually refers to solutions around 65-70%. This is the concentration often sought for gold recovery and refining. It’s highly corrosive and releases fumes.
• Fuming Nitric Acid: This is nitric acid at 90% or higher concentration. It’s extremely strong and gives off visible fumes. It’s typically used for very specialized applications, like in rocket propellants, and is incredibly dangerous to work with.

Safety First! Seriously.

Nitric acid is a highly corrosive chemical and a strong oxidizer. This means it can cause severe burns to skin and eyes, and its fumes are toxic if inhaled. It reacts violently with many organic materials, posing a fire risk.

Here are some absolute must-dos for safety:

• Personal Protective Equipment PPE: Always wear appropriate PPE, including chemical-resistant gloves like nitrile gloves, safety goggles or a face shield, and a lab coat or apron.
• Ventilation: Work only in a well-ventilated area, preferably under a fume hood, to avoid inhaling dangerous fumes.
• Storage: Store nitric acid in its original, acid-resistant container, away from incompatible materials and in a cool, dry place below 75°F/24°C. Never store it in glass or standard HDPE containers unless specifically approved for concentrated acids.
• Handling: Never add water to concentrated acid. always add acid slowly to water if dilution is required. Contact with metals or organic solvents can cause violent reactions.
• Emergency Preparedness: Know what to do in case of a spill or exposure. Have an emergency eyewash station and safety shower readily available. Refer to the product’s Safety Data Sheet SDS for detailed first aid measures and handling instructions.

Regulations and Shipping

Because it’s a hazardous material, nitric acid is subject to strict regulations, especially for concentrations of 20% or more. This often means:

• HazMat Fees: Expect additional hazardous material shipping fees on top of regular shipping costs.
• Ground Shipping Only: It almost always ships via ground transportation within the contiguous US. Air shipping is highly restricted.
• Adult Signature: Deliveries typically require an adult signature.
• Business vs. Residential Addresses: Some suppliers prefer or even require shipping to a commercial address due to the nature of the chemical.
• Purchase Restrictions: Certain high concentrations might only be sold to businesses, educational institutions, or those who can provide a “Declaration of Use” form.

The Department of Homeland Security also tracks quantities of certain chemicals, including nitric acid solutions of 20% or more, which can lead to internal purchasing restrictions in some organizations. Aqua sculpt address

Frequently Asked Questions

Is nitric acid a controlled substance?

Nitric acid is not typically classified as a controlled substance in the same way as illegal drugs. However, it is a regulated chemical due to its corrosive properties and its potential use as a precursor in the manufacture of explosives. This means that while it’s legal to purchase, sales of higher concentrations often above 20% or 40% are usually tracked, subject to specific shipping regulations like HazMat fees and ground shipping, and sometimes restricted to businesses or institutions rather than individuals.

Can I buy nitric acid at a hardware store or Home Depot?

No, you generally cannot buy concentrated nitric acid at a hardware store or Home Depot. These stores typically do not stock strong, regulated industrial chemicals like nitric acid due to its hazardous nature and the specialized handling and storage it requires. Any listings you might see on their websites, like Walmart.com, are usually from third-party sellers that ship directly to you, not from the physical store’s inventory.

What concentration of nitric acid do I need for gold testing?

For gold testing, you usually need diluted solutions of nitric acid, specifically formulated for testing different karat values e.g., 10K, 14K, 18K. These are typically very small bottles, often included in gold testing kits. You don’t need concentrated nitric acid for this purpose, and using highly concentrated acid for testing would be unnecessarily dangerous and could damage your items.

How much does nitric acid cost?

The cost of nitric acid can vary significantly based on its concentration, grade, quantity, and the supplier. For small quantities e.g., 500ml of 67-70% lab-grade acid, you might pay anywhere from $30 to $80, plus substantial HazMat shipping fees which can sometimes be as much as the product itself. Larger quantities will have a lower per-liter cost but still incur hazmat charges. For gold testing kits with small diluted acids, prices can range from $20 to $60 for a set of multiple testing acids and a stone. NordVPN: Your Essential Guide to Buying and Securing Your Online Life

Is it safe to buy nitric acid online?

Yes, it can be safe to buy nitric acid online if you purchase from reputable and specialized chemical suppliers who adhere to all hazardous material shipping regulations. These suppliers use proper, secure packaging, provide Safety Data Sheets SDS, and follow all legal requirements for transportation. However, it is crucial for you, the buyer, to understand the associated hazards, ensure you have appropriate safety equipment, and know how to safely handle and store the chemical upon arrival.

What are the main uses of nitric acid?

Nitric acid is a versatile chemical with a wide range of uses across various industries and applications. Some common uses include:

• Fertilizers: A primary component in the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers.
• Explosives: Used in the manufacturing of various explosives which contributes to its regulated status.
• Metal Processing: Used for cleaning, etching, and purifying metals, including gold recovery and refining.
• Laboratory Chemical: Employed in many laboratory experiments, analytical chemistry, and research and development.
• Dye Intermediate: Used in the production of various dyes.
• Rocket Propellant: As an oxidizing agent in some rocket propellants.

Can I make nitric acid at home?

While there are online videos demonstrating how to make nitric acid from household materials, attempting to do so is extremely dangerous and strongly discouraged. The process often involves highly concentrated acids and can produce toxic fumes and unstable products, posing significant risks of chemical burns, explosions, and inhalation injuries. For your safety, it’s always best to purchase nitric acid from legitimate, regulated suppliers if you have a genuine and legal need for it.

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