Alloys nitric acid

The mildest solution that will digest the sample is preferred, as stronger acids are more likely to add to the blank, attack digestion vessels, and generally require more care in the laboratory. Concentrated acids may be used individually, in mixtures, or in sequence. Hot concentrated acids will dissolve many metals and alloys. Nitric acid oxidizes the sample and should be used before a stronger oxidizer such as perchloric acid, to remove the more readily oxidized material. 

A warm, dilute solution of HNO3 and HF is an excellent solvent for Sb and its alloys. Nitric acid combined with tartaric acid also easily dissolves antimony. 

Perchloric acid Acetic acid, acetic anhydride, alcohols, antimony compounds, azo pigments, bismuth and its alloys, methanol, carbonaceous materials, carbon tetrachloride, cellulose, dehydrating agents, diethyl ether, glycols and glycolethers, HCl, HI, hypophosphites, ketones, nitric acid, pyridine, steel, sulfoxides, sulfuric acid... 

Hafnium neutron absorption capabilities have caused its alloys to be proposed as separator sheets to allow closer spacing of spent nuclear fuel rods in interim holding ponds. Hafnium is the preferred material of constmction for certain critical mass situations in spent fuel reprocessing plants where hafnium s excellent corrosion resistance to nitric acid is also important. 

Nitric acid reacts with all metals except gold, iridium, platinum, rhodium, tantalum, titanium, and certain alloys. It reacts violentiy with sodium and potassium to produce nitrogen. Most metals are converted iato nitrates arsenic, antimony, and tin form oxides. Chrome, iron, and aluminum readily dissolve ia dilute nitric acid but with concentrated acid form a metal oxide layer that passivates the metal, ie, prevents further reaction. 

Qualitative Analysis. Nitric acid may be detected by the classical brown-ring test, the copper-turnings test, the reduction of nitrate to ammonia by active metal or alloy, or the nitrogen precipitation test. Nitrous acid or nitrites interfere with most of these tests, but such interference may be eliminated by acidifying with sulfuric acid, adding ammonium sulfate crystals, and evaporating to alow volume. 

Devarda s Method. Nitrogen in nitrates or nitric acid also may be deterrnined by the Kjeldahl method or by Devarda s method. The latter is both convenient and accurate when no organic nitrogen is present. The nitrate is reduced by Devarda s alloy to ammonia in an alkaline solution. The ammonia is distilled and titrated with standard acid. 

Chemical analysis methods maybe used for assay of silver alloys containing no interfering base metals. Nitric acid dissolution of the silver and precipitation as AgCl, or the Gay-Lussac-VoUiard titration methods are used iaterchangeably for the higher concentrations of silver. These procedures have been described (4). 

Oxidi2ing contaminants, eg, nitric acid and ferric ions, may significantly alter the performance of alloys in sulfuric acid. For example, HasteUoy B-2 performs extremely well in concentrated sulfuric acid but corrodes rapidly in the presence of ferric ions, nitric acid, or free SO iu sulfuric acid. For this reason, HasteUoy B-2 is not recommended for oleum service. 

Titanium does not stress-crack in environments that cause stress-cracking in other metal alloys, eg, boiling 42% MgCl2, NaOH, sulfides, etc. Some of the aluminum-rich titanium alloys are susceptible to hot-salt stress-cracking. However, this is a laboratory observation and has not been confirmed in service. Titanium stress-cracks in methanol containing acid chlorides or sulfates, red Aiming nitric acid, nitrogen tetroxide, and trichloroethylene. 

Other Metals. Metals such as the austenitic series. Types 301—347, and the ferritic series. Types 409—446, of stainless steels may be enameled, as well as a number of other alloys (17). The metal preparation usually consists of degreasiag and grit blasting. Copper, gold, and silver are also enameled. These metals are usually prepared for appHcation by degreasiag. Copper is pickled usiag either a nitric acid [7697-37-2] or a sulfuric acid [7664-93-9] solution, followed by a dilute nitric acid dip. Silver may be pickled in hot dilute sulfuric acid followed by a dip in a nitric acid solution (18). 

Figure 8.1 Effect of pH on corrosion of 1100-H14 alloy (aluminum) by various chemical solutions. Observe the minimal corrosion in the pH range of 4-9. The low corrosion rates in acetic acid, nitric acid, and ammonium hydroxide demonstrate that the nature of the individual ions in solution is more important than the degree of acidity or alkalinity. (Courtesy of Alcoa Laboratories from Aluminum Properties and Physical Metallurgy, ed. John E. Hatch, American Society for Metals, Metals Park, Ohio, 1984, Figure 19, page 295.)...

Copper alloys Ammonia/amines Nitric acid/nitrate fumes... 

Much of the information available on resistance of nickel-iron alloys to corrosion by mineral acids is summarised by Marsh. In general, corrosion rates decrease sharply as the nickel content is increased from 0 to 30-40%, with little further improvement above this level. The value of the nickel addition is most pronounced in conditions where hydrogen evolution is the major cathodic reaction, i.e. under conditions of low aeration and agitation. Results reported by Hatfield show that the rates of attack of Fe-25Ni alloy in sulphuric and hydrochloric acid solutions, although much lower than those of mild steel, are still appreciable (Tables 3.35 and 3.36). In solutions of nitric acid, nickel-iron alloys show very high rates of corrosion. 

---