Alcoholic nitric acid ~10% (Nital) is a single solution used in metallography and scientific laboratories. The solution consists of denatured ethanol and nitric acid.

Nital is used in surface etching of mild and low-alloy steels, heat-treatable steels, cast irons and similar materials. It is a common etchant for abrasive burn testing and pearl tonguing. The chemical properties of nitric acid allow selective etching of metals and alloyed elements, revealing the microstructure.

The chemical reactions that take place during the application of Nital involve the interaction between the nitric acid and the metallic surfaces, revealing the different phases and constituents of the material.

Possible results of the application of Nital include a clearly discernible microstructural evolution of the materials under study, allowing improved analysis and interpretation of the material structure.