Nitric Acid

#1

Anyone know where I might be able to obtain a small amount of nitric acid..?
I mean, sure, the large chemical manufacturers and wholesalers have them, but do I look like I'm going into the a business that requires tonnes of the stuff..?

All I can think of is from a chemist, maybe a hardware store in the plumbing section or possibily stealing it from a school's science labs..

Can anyone confirm if you can get it from there, or any other places you might be able to..?
Thanks..!

#2

Go to www.sciencelab.com

they have just about everything a budding "chemist" might want or need. That's where I got my last batch. Can I ask what you want/need it for? That's pretty nasty stuff that'll eat you up if you're not careful. There are also different grades of purity, so if what you're making requires absolute purity (nitroglycerine for example) you'll pay for the extra purity. Otherwise, it's not too expensive.

#3

Why exactly do you want nitric acid?

By the way, I remember back in school one of my friends had a container of some stuff, can't remember the exact name but i think he said polycarbonate. Now I understand the word polycarbonate, but how would he have made it, and why?

#4

whoami, if you are worried about the cost of nitric acid, that means you don't got the scratch to afford the protective equipment and safety gear. leave this alone if you can't do it right.

and you want baking soda around at all times you are working with nitric acid.

#5

QUOTE(raum)and you want baking soda around at all times you are working with nitric acid.

And lots of it too!!! And water.

As far as protective equipment, at a MINIMUM you need acid proof gloves, acid proof apron, and acid proof eye protection. DO NOT USE LATEX GLOVES! They will melt onto and into your skin. I strongly recommend Pyrex glassware or something similar. A workbench that is at a comfortable height with access to running water is also very important.

Like raum said, if you are not real sure what you're doing and don't have the proper equipment to do it with, leave this shit alone. It is very bad stuff and can kill you if you spill enough on yourself.

#6

man the way you guys are talking I think I am gonna want some of this stuff too!! Sounds like fun.

#7

Man, I remember once in HS this chick spilled a beaker of aqua regia (hot nitric & sulfuric acid mixed) in her lap then raised hell when the instructor grabbed her, tossed her under the safety shower and yanked her pantyhose off. She quieted down when the burns on her legs appeared and she saw the melted hose. Her dad later tried to sue the school and the teacher for "humiliating" his little girl, but dropped it when all 30 of us in the lab signed up to testify.

#8

QUOTE(deepdiver32073)Go to www.sciencelab.com

they have just about everything a budding "chemist" might want or need. That's where I got my last batch. Can I ask what you want/need it for? That's pretty nasty stuff that'll eat you up if you're not careful. There are also different grades of purity, so if what you're making requires absolute purity (nitroglycerine for example) you'll pay for the extra purity. Otherwise, it's not too expensive.

Actually had a look at these guys before, except sadly they don't ship out of the US..
And "Nitric Acid, Reagent, ACS: 25 ml 1 $17.00 " is fine for what I'm doing..

QUOTE(raum)whoami, if you are worried about the cost of nitric acid, that means you don't got the scratch to afford the protective equipment and safety gear. leave this alone if you can't do it right.

and you want baking soda around at all times you are working with nitric acid.
OK, technically, I'm not actually worried at the cost of the acid itself, more where I can obtain it in Australia without having to ordering $5000 minimum quantity..
Also, I'm not really one to cut back on the safety equipment - plus, for what I'm making, I'm gonna have to stay the fuck back.. lol

Also, to tell you the truth, I'd rather just purchase the chemical in it's purified form rather than read a synthesis..
So, if I were living in the states, I would buy it from ScienceLab at $40 for 500g - more that I need, lol

QUOTE(deepdiver32073)And water.

As far as protective equipment, at a MINIMUM you need acid proof gloves, acid proof apron, and acid proof eye protection. DO NOT USE LATEX GLOVES! They will melt onto and into your skin. I strongly recommend Pyrex glassware or something similar. A workbench that is at a comfortable height with access to running water is also very important.
See above - I wasn't planning on cutting back on the protective equipment, or quality lab equipment.
(and lets hope when you said water, you meant only when and if I get the acid on myself, lol)

QUOTE(deepdiver32073)Man, I remember once in HS this chick spilled a beaker of aqua regia (hot nitric & sulfuric acid mixed) in her lap then raised hell when the instructor grabbed her, tossed her under the safety shower and yanked her pantyhose off. She quieted down when the burns on her legs appeared and she saw the melted hose. Her dad later tried to sue the school and the teacher for "humiliating" his little girl, but dropped it when all 30 of us in the lab signed up to testify.
LMAO..!!

Well, I think that that sorta reponds to the 6 replies - except Pete's which I'd like to keep from you for a small while, hehe..
I might actually end up just using some low-grade sulfuric acid, and make a completely different compound.. (but I expect it'll affect the yield somewhat)
Even looking in the Yellow Pages for a chemical supplier is just too damn hard..

Oh, and if you're still wondering - here's a clue:

(not that I expect that helps - doesn't help me, lol)