RDX

Also referred to as cyclonite, or 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.

Composition A is a wax-coated, granular explosive consisting of RDX and plasticizing wax. Five varieties of composition A have been developed and designated as composition A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5. Compositions A-4 and A-5, with desensitizer added, have been developed, but these explosives are not widely used. Composition A is used as the bursting charge in Navy 2.75- and 5-inch rockets and land mines.

Composition B consists of castable mixtures of RDX and TNT; in some instances, desensitizing agents are added to the mixture. Composition B is used as a burster in Army projectiles and in rockets and land mines.

Composition C is a plastic demolition explosive consisting of RDX, other explosives, and plasticizers. It can be molded by hand for use in demolition work and packed by hand into shaped charge devices. Although compositions C-3 and C-4 are the only formulations presently being used, C-1 and C-2 may still be encountered.

Cyclotol is manufactured in three formulations by varying mixture percentages of RDX and TNT. Cyclotols are used for loading shaped-charge bombs, special fragmentation projectiles, and grenades.

HBX-1 and HBX-3 are binary explosives that are castable mixtures of RDX, TNT, powdered aluminum, and D-2 wax with calcium chloride. These explosives are used in missile warheads and underwater ordnance.

H-6 is a binary explosive that is a castable mixture of RDX, TNT, powdered aluminum, and D-2 wax with calcium chloride added. H-6 is used as the standard bursting charge for general purpose bombs.

MINOL 2 is a binary explosive that is a castable mixture of TNT, ammonium nitrate, and powdered aluminum. MINOL 2 may be used as a bursting charge where TNT is in short supply, but it must never be used aboard ship.

Ammonium picrate is the least sensitive to shock and friction of all military explosives. This makes it well suited for use as a bursting charge in armor-piercing projectiles. Explosive D is used as a bursting charge for armor-piercing shells and in other types of projectiles that must withstand severe shock and stress before detonating.