Nitric Acid
The Nitric Acid supplied by Chelora Chemicals — a strong, strongly oxidising mineral acid central to fertiliser, explosives and organic-oxidation chemistry, including the adipic acid route feeding our own nylon-66 intermediates — exported from Indonesia across standard concentration grades with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Nitric Acid is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the acid's chemistry, why its oxidising strength sets it apart from ordinary mineral acids, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Nitric Acid is a strong mineral acid that is also, unusually among the common mineral acids, a powerful oxidising agent in its own right, a dual character that puts it at the centre of fertiliser manufacture, explosives chemistry and a wide range of organic oxidation and nitration reactions, including the industrial route to adipic acid that feeds our own nylon-66 intermediate chain. Its strength as both an acid and an oxidiser means it reacts, often vigorously, with many materials that ordinary non-oxidising acids leave untouched, which is exactly why buyers reach for it specifically rather than substituting a cheaper acid.
At room temperature it is a colourless to pale yellow liquid, the yellow tinge coming from small amounts of dissolved nitrogen dioxide that form as the acid slowly decomposes, particularly under light or heat; concentrated grades above roughly 86% are commonly called fuming nitric acid because they release visible reddish-brown NO2 fumes. It is supplied across dilute (60–68%) and concentrated/fuming (≥98%) grades, each suited to different downstream uses.
Where it fits in the value chain
Nitric Acid's largest single use by volume is ammonium nitrate fertiliser manufacture, where it is neutralised with ammonia. It is also essential to explosives manufacture (nitroglycerin, TNT, and other nitro-organic compounds), metal etching and pickling (particularly stainless steel passivation), and, closest to our own catalogue, as the industrial oxidant in the classical nitric-acid oxidation route from cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone to adipic acid, the diacid partner to hexamethylenediamine in nylon-66 manufacture.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Nitric Acid across 60%, 68% and 98% (fuming) concentration grades in technical and fertiliser grades, with higher-purity grades available on request. Each grade is supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis covering concentration, chloride content and colour.
How Nitric Acid is produced
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Nitric Acid is produced industrially by the Ostwald process: ammonia is catalytically oxidised over a platinum-rhodium gauze catalyst to nitric oxide, which is further oxidised in air to nitrogen dioxide, and the nitrogen dioxide is then absorbed into water to form dilute nitric acid, typically in the 50–68% range. Where a more concentrated or fuming grade is required, the dilute acid is further concentrated, commonly by extractive distillation with concentrated sulfuric acid acting as a dehydrating agent, since nitric acid and water form an azeotrope that ordinary distillation alone cannot break past roughly 68%.
The ammonia feedstock is itself typically synthetic ammonia from the Haber-Bosch process, linking nitric acid manufacture back to the same nitrogen-fixation chemistry that underlies most of the world's fertiliser supply. Final concentration adjustment, stabiliser addition for storage-grade fuming acid, and quality control are carried out before packaging.
Industries and processes that use it
Nitric Acid is consumed across fertiliser manufacture, explosives chemistry, metal treatment and organic oxidation routes including our own adipic acid supply chain. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Ammonium Nitrate Fertiliser Manufacture
Neutralised with ammonia to produce ammonium nitrate, the single largest global use of nitric acid by volume.
Explosives & Energetic Materials
Used in the nitration of organic substrates to produce nitroglycerin, TNT and other nitro-organic energetic compounds.
Metal Treatment & Passivation
Used for pickling and for passivating stainless steel surfaces, forming a protective oxide layer that improves corrosion resistance.
Adipic Acid Oxidation Route
Used as the industrial oxidant in the classical route from cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone to adipic acid, feeding our own nylon-66 intermediate chain alongside hexamethylenediamine.
How the acid is typically used forward
The acid's dual strength as both a strong acid and a powerful oxidiser governs almost all of Nitric Acid's further industrial use. The categories below account for most of the ways it is applied downstream.
Oxidative Ring-Opening (Adipic Acid Route)
Oxidises cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone through a controlled, strongly exothermic reaction to open the ring and form the linear six-carbon diacid, adipic acid, the direct feedstock partner to hexamethylenediamine in nylon-66 polymerisation.
Nitration of Aromatic & Aliphatic Substrates
Combined with sulfuric acid in mixed-acid nitration systems to introduce nitro groups onto aromatic rings or aliphatic backbones for explosives, dyes and pharmaceutical intermediates.
Neutralisation to Ammonium Nitrate
Reacted directly with ammonia to form ammonium nitrate, used both as a nitrogen fertiliser and, in a different formulation, as an industrial explosive oxidiser.
Metal Passivation & Pickling
Used in dilute to moderately concentrated form to dissolve surface oxide scale and form a passive oxide layer on stainless steel and other alloys.
Nitric Acid against related mineral acids we supply
Buyers sourcing Nitric Acid for an oxidation or nitration step often also need a related mineral acid or nitrosating reagent. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitric Acid | 7697-37-2 | Mineral acid, strong oxidiser | The product on this page — a strong, oxidising mineral acid used in fertiliser, explosives and adipic acid manufacture. |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 7647-01-0 | Mineral acid | A related non-oxidising mineral acid used across a very different set of industrial processes — see its product page. |
| Sulfuric Acid | 7664-93-9 | Mineral acid | Commonly paired with this acid in mixed-acid nitration systems — see its product page. |
| Nitrosylsulfuric Acid | 7782-78-7 | Mixed nitrosating/sulfuric acid | A related nitrogen-oxide-derived reagent used in diazotisation and hydroxylamine manufacture — see its product page. |
| Adipic Acid | 124-04-9 | Dicarboxylic acid, nylon-66 monomer | The downstream product of this acid's classical oxidation route, and the diacid partner to hexamethylenediamine — see its product page. |
Exact concentration and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Nitric Acid.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
May intensify fire; oxidiser.
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
Toxic if inhaled.
Reacts vigorously, sometimes violently, with many organic and reducing materials; store well away from combustibles.
Chemical-resistant gloves, face shield and acid-resistant clothing are required for routine handling.
Danger
This product causes severe skin burns and eye damage on contact, is toxic if inhaled, and as a strong oxidiser may intensify fire and react vigorously, in some cases violently, with organic materials, reducing agents and many metals. It must be stored and handled well away from combustible and reducing materials, with chemical-resistant gloves, a face shield and acid-resistant clothing for routine handling. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and must be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in acid-resistant containers in a cool area protected from direct light, since light and heat accelerate the acid's slow decomposition to nitrogen dioxide, away from organic materials, reducing agents, metals and strong bases. Re-check concentration and colour on stock held for an extended period, and treat any container showing heavy yellowing or pressure build-up with particular caution.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Nitric Acid leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay, colour and key physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Nitric Acid used for?+
02How is Nitric Acid produced?+
03What grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
04Is Nitric Acid hazardous?+
05Why does Nitric Acid turn yellow in storage?+
06Do you supply the adipic acid it is used to manufacture?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply other mineral acids as well?+
Need Nitric Acid on spec, on time?
Send us your required concentration, grade, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.