Description
What it is. Nitric Acid 69.5% Cleanroom LP is a low-particulate, electronic-grade concentrated nitric acid (HNO3; CAS 7697-37-2), supplied by Lab Pro in a 2.5 L bottle. Cleanroom LP grade nitric acid is made for the electronics and semiconductor industry, where trace metals and particles in process chemicals can damage wafers and devices. It is a strong oxidizing acid used for etching, cleaning, and metal dissolution in controlled environments.
Why LP grade. LP stands for low particulate. The Cleanroom LP grade of 69.5% nitric acid is manufactured with trace impurities controlled at the parts-per-million level and an assay of 69.0% to 70.0% HNO3, with color held to 10 APHA. In semiconductor processing, particles and metal contamination in acids translate directly into yield loss, so electronic grades like this are specified wherever the acid touches a wafer or device. Matching grade to process protects both yield and budget.
How it is used in electronics. Nitric acid is a strong oxidizer. In semiconductor processing, it oxidizes silicon to silicon dioxide and, combined with hydrofluoric acid in mixed-acid etchants, etches silicon. It also dissolves many metals into metal nitrates, which makes it useful for removing metal contamination, stripping, and cleaning steps. Labs also use it to digest samples and clean glassware where trace metals must be removed. Those properties make it a staple acid in fabs and analytical labs alike.
Physical properties. Lab Pro lists a density of 1.413 g/mL at 25 °C and a boiling point of 249.8 °F for this grade. Nitric acid is noncombustible but increases the flammability of combustible materials, reacts with water to produce heat, and corrodes metals. Concentrated nitric acid can turn yellow over time as it decomposes and releases nitrogen dioxide, which is one reason storage conditions matter. Cool, dark storage helps slow that decomposition.
Safety profile buyers should know. Nitric acid causes severe skin and eye burns, and its vapors are highly irritating. NIOSH and OSHA set an exposure limit of 2 ppm as an 8-hour average, with a NIOSH short-term limit of 4 ppm and an IDLH of 25 ppm. NIOSH lists combustible materials, metal powders, hydrogen sulfide, carbides, and alcohols as incompatible, so never store it near solvents such as isopropyl alcohol or acetone. Accidental mixing can cause violent reactions or fires.
Packaging and handling. Store Cleanroom LP grade below 75 °F, per distributor listings. Use it only in a fume hood or ventilated wet bench with acid-resistant gloves, goggles, a face shield, and an apron. Always add acid to water, never water to acid, when diluting. Orders ship as a regulated corrosive and oxidizing material, and Lab Pro recommends this product for research, industrial work, and cleaning applications. Keep eyewash and safety showers close to where it is used.
Technical Specifications
| Chemical Name | Nitric Acid |
| Synonyms | Hydrogen nitrate, aqua fortis, azotic acid, nitryl hydroxide, acidum nitricum |
| CAS Number | 7697-37-2 |
| Linear Formula | HNO3 |
| Molecular Weight | 63.012 |
| PubChem Substance ID | 24853516 |
| Grade | Cleanroom LP (low particulate), electronic grade |
| Assay | 69.5% nominal (69.0–70.0%) |
| Color (APHA) | 10 |
| Trace Impurities | Controlled at ppm level |
| Form | Liquid |
| Density | 1.413 g/mL at 25 °C |
| Boiling Point | 249.8 °F |
| Flammability | Noncombustible; increases flammability of combustibles (oxidizer) |
| DOT ID | UN2031 |
| Exposure Limits | OSHA PEL 2 ppm TWA · NIOSH REL 2 ppm TWA, 4 ppm STEL · IDLH 25 ppm |
| Incompatible With | Combustible materials, metal powders, hydrogen sulfide, carbides, alcohols |
| Storage | Below 75 °F (distributor data) |
| Container | 2.5 L bottle |
Applications / Common Uses
- Semiconductor etching: silicon etching in mixed acid etchants with HF
- Silicon oxidation: oxidizing silicon to silicon dioxide in process steps
- Metal dissolution and stripping: dissolving metals to nitrates for cleaning and stripping
- Trace metal sample digestion: digesting samples where metal contamination must stay low
- Glassware and parts cleaning: removing metal residues from labware and process parts
Storage, Handling & Shipping
Store nitric acid in its original container in a cool, well-ventilated acid cabinet below 75 °F, away from direct sunlight, organic solvents, alcohols, combustible materials, metal powders, and bases. Keep it in secondary containment and never store it with flammable solvents. Use only with full acid PPE in a fume hood or wet bench, and dilute by adding acid to water. Orders ship as a regulated hazardous material; consult the SDS before use.
- Storage: Acid cabinet; cool, below 75 °F; away from sunlight
- Segregation: Away from solvents, alcohols, combustibles, metal powders, and bases
- Handling: Fume hood; acid gloves, goggles, face shield, apron
- Shipping: UN2031 corrosive/oxidizer; hazmat charge applies
Related Categories & Services
- Oxidizers: hydrogen peroxide and other oxidizing chemicals in lab and bulk sizes
- Chemicals & Reagents: the full range of lab and production chemicals, by grade and pack size
- Cleanroom Goggles: eye protection for solvent and chemical handling
- Aprons: chemical splash aprons for acid and solvent work
- Spill Protection: products for containing and cleaning up spills
- Electronics Manufacturing industry page: Lab Pro products used in electronics manufacturing
Services
- Need recurring supply? Ask about Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) for standing orders of semiconductor-grade acids
- Punchout Catalogs: order through your procurement system
- Semiconductor Lab Startup Checklist: supplies checklist for new fab and electronics labs
CAS Number
7697-37-2
FAQs
What is the difference between Cleanroom LP and ACS grade nitric acid?
ACS grade meets American Chemical Society reagent purity specifications for general lab use. Cleanroom LP grade is an electronic grade with low particle counts and trace metals controlled at the ppm level for semiconductor processing. Choose LP grade when the acid contacts wafers or sensitive devices.
Is nitric acid a strong acid?
Yes. Nitric acid is a strong acid that fully dissociates in water, and it is also a strong oxidizer. That combination is why concentrated nitric acid dissolves many metals, attacks organic materials, and causes severe burns, and why it requires acid-resistant PPE and careful storage.
Is nitric acid flammable?
Nitric acid itself is noncombustible, but NIOSH notes it increases the flammability of combustible materials because it is a strong oxidizer. Contact with organics, alcohols, metal powders, or other combustibles can cause fires or violent reactions, so store it apart from solvents and combustible materials.
Where can I buy nitric acid for semiconductor or lab use?
Lab and electronic chemical suppliers sell nitric acid in grades matched to the application. Lab Pro offers this 69.5% Cleanroom LP grade in a 2.5 L bottle for electronics work. Nitric acid ships as a regulated corrosive and oxidizing hazardous material, so expect hazmat shipping charges and restrictions.
What should I do after skin contact with nitric acid?
Remove contaminated clothing and flush the skin with large amounts of water immediately for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical attention. Use an eyewash for eye contact. Make sure eyewash stations and safety showers are accessible wherever nitric acid is handled. Review emergency steps during training.
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