Does anyone know the shelf life of nitric acid for etching
silver. I have some that may be more than several years old. I
could do a test piece but if anyone has any idea, thanks in
advance. Miki
Does anyone know the shelf life of nitric acid for etching silver. I have some that may be more than several years old.
G’day; Not precisely, but I have some concentrated nitric acid
which I bought 16 years ago in a 2.5 litre glass-stoppered
bottle and which, having been properly stoppered and kept in a
cupboard is now no different in chemical action to what it was
when I first had it. There is not a lot left but I was using
some the other day to dissolve sterling and it worked as well as
ever. I see no reason why diluted nitric acid should deteriorate
very quickly either. If the reaction goes slowly at first,
gentle warming will soon speed things up. NOTE: the brown gas
(oxides of nitrogen) given off from the reaction between nitric
acid and metals is very poisonous and must not be inhaled. Work
in a well ventilated space. Cheers,
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At sunny Nelson NZ