Aqua fortis stain

[Old Ford2]

What strength of nitric acid is used to make up aqua fortis stain?
Old Ford

[Ky-Flinter]

The nitric acid I have is marked 68-70%.  It was given to me by a friend who uses it in his business.  I suppose there may be other concentrations.  I have made AF with it and it works.

-Ron

[billd]

Mine is 69%.  I cut it 4 to 1 with water before adding iron turnings.
Bill

[Joey R]

Please forgive me for it has no doubt been asked before of this forum but where is the best place to acquire nitric acid? Cost? Shipping? I did a google on it and for a 32 oz. bottle on one supplier they were asking $68? plus $28 hazmat fee from FedEx? Is this normal or have I misread something terribly? In advance, much thanks and Merry Christmas.

[billd]

Try to find out where your local high school or college gets its lab supplies.
Bill

[Ed Wenger]

I got mine from the local pharmacy.  I can't remember what I paid (probably too much), but do remember shipping being kinda steep. 

Mine is 70% and the last batch I did, I cut it 6 to 1.

Which brings me to a question and I don't want to hijack Old Ford's original question but...  Does it really matter what the ratio is?  I ask that because if you add metal 'till it stops reacting, isn't it doing the same thing?  Or is a more acidic ratio going have more iron in it?  Hope that makes sense...

           Ed

[Dphariss]

I got mine from the local pharmacy.  I can't remember what I paid (probably too much), but do remember shipping being kinda steep. 

Mine is 70% and the last batch I did, I cut it 6 to 1.

Which brings me to a question and I don't want to hijack Old Ford's original question but...  Does it really matter what the ratio is?  I ask that because if you add metal 'till it stops reacting, isn't it doing the same thing?  Or is a more acidic ratio going have more iron in it?  Hope that makes sense...

           Ed

I got something in the 70% range, really aggressive stuff, and I dilute 50-50 or 3:1.

Dan

[David Rase]

Here is a link to the supplier that I use.  http://kyantec.com/  I have had good luck with them every time.  They like catering to the hobbiest.
DMR

[Metalshaper]

Mine is considered 'red fuming' and is as concentrated as you can get!( analytical / Trace  grading) Of course I work in an Environmental lab, and we normally use the stuff for Metals digestion in W/WW samples!   

Dilute 1:10 it is still way strong, and will 'digest' iron like a buggar!!!

Respect Always
Metalshaper/Jonathan

[Licensed to kill]

I got some from a water treatment plant. The guy said it's used to settle out sediment.

[Joey R]

Thanks Dave, Your link is just across the river from me in Louisville, Ky. Thanks again!