3.31     R.D.X. 
 
 
     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.  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 
       or 
     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 a good 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. 
 
 
 
