R.D.X. 2

R.D.X. 2 by Jolly Roger

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.

/ \ RDX MOLECULE

/ \

H C H C

/ 2 2

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O N N--NO

2 \ / 2

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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.

MATERIALS EQUIPMENT

��

hexamine 500 ml beaker

methenamine glass stirring rod

fuel tablets (50 g)

funnel and filter paper

concentrated

nitric acid (550 ml) ice bath container (plastic bucket)

distilled water centigrade thermometer

table salt blue litmus paper

ice ammonium nitrate

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 one 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.

-= Exodus =-