What is the Full form of RDX?

The full form of RDX is Research Department eXplosive or Royal Demolition eXplosive. It is an explosive substance that relates to nitramines, a category of explosives from organic nitrate. Also, it is labelled as hexogen, cyclonite & T₄ . RDX chemical name and chemical formulae are Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine and C₃H₆N₆O₆, respectively.

RDX is a solid, hard white crystalline, water-insoluble and slightly soluble in some solvents. Percussion sensitive, its main non-military application is in the blasting caps. The sensitivity of the RDX can be reduced by combing with other substances.

A brief history of RDX

• RDX was invented by Georg Friedrich Henning of Germany and patented in 1898.
• But never used until the 2nd World War while most warring powers first adopted this RDX.
• Through a secret process developed in the United States and Canada, RDX was synthesized on a large scale in the United States.

Characteristics of RDX

• RDX is solid crystals in nature, white in colour
• RDX is a strong and tasteless substance
• RDX is insoluble in water and poorly soluble in most common solvents
• The molecular weight of RDX is 222.12 g/mol.
• RDX decomposes at 213^oC and melting point of RDX is 205.5^oC.