Full form of RDX
RDX stands for Research Department Explosive or Royal Demolition Explosive.
It is an explosive substance which possesses a group of organic nitrate explosives called nitramines. It is also known as hexogen, T4 and cyclonite.
It’s chemical name of RDX is cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine and the chemical formula of RDX is C3H6N6O6.
RDX is white, hard, solid and insoluble in water and slightly soluble for other chemicals. It is percussive sensitive and it is used in blasting caps. It can be easily mixed with other substances for the purpose of decreasing sensitivity.
History
In 1899, RDX was first searched by Georg Friedrich Henning of Germany. The name was originated by British.
But it was not used until the World War II, when it was introduced by warring powers.
RDX was produced in the United States on a very large scale through the secret process which developed in Canada and United States.
Properties of RDX
The properties of RDX are listed below:
- It is odorless and hard
- RDX is white crystalline solid
- The melting point of RDX is of 205.5oC
- RDX decomposes at 213oC
- Its molecular weight is of 222.12 g/mol
- It is insoluble in water and also with other organic substances