What Is RDX?

The abbreviation RDX stands for Royal Demolition Explosive or Research Department Explosive. It is better known to chemists as cyclotrimethylene trinitramine, cyclonite or hexogen. RDX is a nitroamine explosive material extensively used by the military and industry. RDX is a white, crystalline solid in its pure, synthesized state. RDX is usually used in admixture with other explosives, plasticizers, oils, waxes and desensitizers. Unlike dynamite, RDX is highly stable, so it can be stored safely. RDX is also regarded as one of the most powerful and brisant high explosives used in military operations.

History

• RDX was initially used as a medicine in 1890s. The credit goes to a German chemist named Hans Henning who first discovered the chemical cyclotrimethylene trinitramine. However, its explosive properties were identified many years later in 1920. RDX was first produced as an explosive by reacting concentrated nitric acid with hexamine. However, its efficient manufacturing process was found in 1940 by the McGill University chemistry department. RDX was heavily used in World War II as a supplement explosive to TNT like Torpex.

Preparation

• RDX can be produced a number of ways, but in the United States, the manufacturing of RDX greatly relies on the continuous Bachmann process. In this manufacturing process, hexamine is allowed to react with nitric acid, glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride and ammonium nitrate. The chemical substance formed is filtered and crystallized to create RDX. The byproducts obtained include acid mists, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

  Production of RDX was at its maximum in the 1960s, when around 15 million pounds of RDX was manufactured every month. Due to its high explosive properties, RDX is generally not allowed to be manufactured commercially; only a few military ammunition plants are given permission to manufacture RDX for defense.

Properties

• RDX is a colorless crystalline powder having a density of 1.82 g/cm. It has a nitrogen content of about 37.84 percent. RDX begins to disintegrate at about 170 degree C and melts completely at 205 degree C. It is a nonvolatile compound and has an extremely low solubility in water. It has a high degree of stability; hence RDX is easier to handle and store. But it becomes very unstable when crystallized below 4 degree C.

Applications

• RDX is primarily used in military as an explosive, although it has a few civilian applications, for example, in the preparation of demolition kits, fireworks and rat poison, where RDX is used in very small amounts. In the armed forces, it is used as a detonator and a military explosive. RDX is rarely used alone; it is mixed with other explosives such as TNT to produce mines, torpedoes and aerial bombs.

Health Hazards

• RDX can cause nausea, vomiting and seizures in both humans and animals if it is inhaled or swallowed in large amounts. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified RDX as a potential human carcinogen.