Difference between revisions of "RDX"

Revision as of 18:22, 23 July 2017

RDX, also known as cyclonite, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, hexogen, is a nitroamine high explosive widely used in military and sometimes industrial appliactions, due to its good properties and low toxicity. RDX has the chemical formula C₃H₆N₆O₆.

The term RDX is an abbreviation for Research Department EXplosive, though it also stands for Research Department Formula X.

Properties

Chemical

RDX decomposes when heated to release carbon dioxide, water vapor and nitrogen gases, as well as soot and carbon monoxide. When initiated with a blasting cap, it will explode.

Physical

RDX is a colorless crystalline solid insoluble in water and poorly soluble in most common solvents. It is however soluble in hot aniline as well as hot nitric acid and liquid phenol. RDX is soluble in solvents with high boiling point, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. It has a density of 1.82 g/cm³ at room temperature.

Explosive

RDX has low sensitivity to impact and friction. It has a high detonation velocity of 8750 m/s and a RE factor of 1.60.

Availability

Like most high explosives, RDX is not sold by any chemical suppliers. Diluted solutions of RDX, however, are sometimes available for analytical chemistry, though this source is very uneconomical and ordering large amounts will draw attention from the autorithies.

Preparation

RDX can be prepared by nitrating hexamine in cold nitric acid.

Projects

• Make blasting charges

Handling

Safety

While somewhat less toxic than TNT, RDX is still toxic if ingested, and exposure is known to cause seizures. It has low to moderate toxicity and it's classified as a possible human carcinogen.

Storage

RDX is best stored in closed containers, away from heat sources. Avoid storing it though, as it may draw the attention of the authorities.

Disposal

RDX can be neutralized by burning it outside. Detonation is not recommended.

Oxidation with Fenton's reagent is another method that can be used. For safety, you should add it as diluted solution, dropwise to prevent it from splashing.

A cited method of neutralizing RDX involves adding it in a hot aqueous solution containing sodium hydroxide and sodium tetraborate. When the pH increases above 9.7, the RDX is neutralized.^[2]

References

1. ↑ Yalkowsky, S.H., He, Yan, Jain, P. Handbook of Aqueous Solubility Data Second Edition. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL 2010, p. 61
2. ↑ Jacqueline Akhavan, The Chemistry of Explosives, 3rd Edition, 2011, p. 148

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

• RDX synthesis
• RDX vs. ETN