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 213oC and melting point of RDX is 205.5oC.
Good