RDX or Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine

RDX or Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine

R.D.X., also called cyclonite, or composition C-1 (when mixed with plasticisers) is one of the most valuable of all military explosives. This is because it has more than 150% of the power of T.N.T., and is much easier to detonate. It should not be used alone, since it can be set off by a not-too severe shock. It is less sensitive than mercury fulminate, or nitroglycerine, but it is still too sensitive to be used alone. R.D.X. can be made by the surprisingly simple method outlined hereafter. It is much easier to make in the home than all other high explosives, with the possible exception of ammonium nitrate.

Also referred to as hexogen, RDX is a white crystalline solid usually used in mixtures with other explosives, oils, or waxes; it is rarely used alone. It has a high degree of stability in storage and is considered the most powerful and brisant of the military high explosives.

RDX compositions are mixtures of RDX, other explosive ingredients, and desensitizers or plasticizers. Incorporated with other explosives or inert material at the manufacturing plants, RDX forms the base for the following common military explosives: Composition A, composition B, composition C, HBX, H-6 and Cyclotol.

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine, commonly known as RDX (Royal Demolition eXplosive), is a hexacyclic ring containing six nitrogen atoms. RDX is a synthetic product that does not occur naturally in the environment. RDX is also known as cyclonite and hexagen. RDX is widely used by the military. In 1972, 102,000,000 pounds of RDX was produced in the United States.

RDX can enter the environment through the manufacturing process or improper handling and disposal methods. It has been estimated that up to 12 mg/liter of RDX may be discharged into the environment through process wastewater used in RDX manufacturing. Alternatively, RDX can contaminate water and soil from spills orleaks at hazardous waste disposal sites. Airborne contamination of RDX occurs when it is disposed of by burning.

Cyclic nitramine explosive compounds have been proven to be toxic. Acute health effects of inhaling or eating RDX are seizures. Chronic health effect from long-term exposure to low levels of RDX have not been determined in humans. However, RDX has been shown to decrease body weight and damage the liver and kidneys of rats and mice. The effects of RDX on reproduction are not known yet.

It has a cyclic structure with a six-membered ring of alternating CH2 groups and nitrogen atoms, with each nitrogen being attached to a NO2 group. It is made by nitrating hexamine, C6H12N4, which is obtained from ammonia and methanal.

MATERIALS

hexamine or methenamine fuel tablets (50 g)
concentrated nitric acid (550 ml)
distilled water
table salt
ice
ammonium nitrate

EQUIPMENT

500 ml beaker
glass stirring rod
funnel and filter paper
ice bath container(plastic bucket)
centigrade thermometer
blue litmus paper

1) Place the beaker in the ice bath, (see section 3.13, steps 3-4) and carefully pour 550 ml of concentrated nitric acid into the beaker.

2) When the acid has cooled to below 20 degrees centigrade, add small amounts of the crushed fuel tablets to the beaker. The temperature will rise, and it must be kept below 30 degrees centigrade, or dire consequences could result. Stir the mixture.

3) Drop the temperature below zero degrees centigrade, either by adding more ice and salt to the old ice bath, or by creating a new ice bath. Or, ammonium nitrate could be added to the old ice bath, since it becomes cold when it is put in water. Continue stirring the mixture, keeping the temperature below zero degrees centigrade for at least twenty minutes

4) Pour the mixture into a litre of crushed ice. Shake and stir the mixture, and allow it to melt. Once it has melted, filter out the crystals, and dispose of the corrosive liquid.

5) Place the crystals into one half a litre of boiling distilled water. Filter the crystals, and test them with the blue litmus paper. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the litmus paper remains blue. This will make the crystals more stable and safe.

6) Store the crystals wet until ready for use. Allow them to dry completely using them. R.D.X. is not stable enough to use alone as an explosive.

7) Composition C-1 can be made by mixing 88.3% R.D.X. (by weight) with 11.1% mineral oil, and 0.6% lecithin. Kneed these material together in a plastic bag. This is a good way to desensitize the explosive.

8) H.M.X. is a mixture of T.N.T. and R.D.X.; the ratio is 50/50, by weight. it is not as sensitive, and is almost as powerful as straight R.D.X.

9) By adding ammonium nitrate to the crystals of R.D.X. after step 5, it should be possible to desensitize the R.D.X. and increase its power, since ammonium nitrate is very insensitive and powerful. Soduim or potassium nitrate could also be added; a small quantity is sufficient to stabilize the R.D.X.

10) R.D.X. detonates at a rate of 8550 meters/second when it is compressed to a density of 1.55 g/cubic cm.

Another procedure:

1. Mix 250 grams powdered hexamine with 50 grams powdered ammonium nitrate.

2. Very slowly add this to 500ml beaker (in ice bath) containing 200ml industrial strength nitric acid.

3. Once all the hexamine/NH4NO3 has dissolved, gently elevate the temperature to 70 degrees celcius, and let it sit until crystals percipitate. Once that happens, lower the temperate to 50 degrees.

4. Decant crystals and wash them with ethyl alcohol. If high acidity, add baking soda until neutral.