The Thermal Decomposition of RDX

Abstract

Cyclotrimethlenetrinitramine (RDX or Cyclonite) exists in two polymorphic species, alpha and beta. The alpha-form is stable under normal conditions, whereas beta-RDX is formed by recrystallization from high boiling solvents. It immediately transfers to the alpha-form in the presence of excess alpha-RDX, and it is therefore assumed that RDX as it exists in its normal state consists solely of the alpha polymorph. The thermal decomposition of RDX has been comprehensively studied by means of quantitative measurements of the decomposition products. The thermal stability of explosive compositions has also been investigated by measuring the rate of gas evolution during decomposition. It was the purpose of the work to obtain thermal and kinetic data for RDX using differential thermal analysis (DTA) experimental methods. These results and techniques were compared with those obtained using the other methods and with theoretical values. The favorable results lend credibility to the DTA method.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0743762

Entities

People

  • Kenneth K. Miles

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Arrhenius Equation
  • Chemical Kinetics
  • Chemical Reaction Properties
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Decomposition
  • Differential Thermal Analysis
  • Exothermic Reactions
  • Experimental Data
  • Explosives
  • Heat Energy
  • Kinetics
  • Materials
  • Rdx
  • Thermal Analysis
  • Thermal Conductivity
  • Thermodynamics
  • Transition Temperature

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Materials Science and Engineering.