What is HMX and RDX?
HMX (Figure 1.3) is a colorless polycrystalline high explosive similar to RDX. HMX has a higher melting point than RDX and was thus named HMX for High Melting eXplosive. It is also known as octogen, octahydro-1,3,5,7,-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine, and cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine (Gibbs and Popolato. 1980).
What makes HMX a good explosive?
Because of its high molecular weight, it is one of the most potent chemical explosives manufactured, although a number of newer ones, including HNIW and ONC, are more powerful.
What is full name HMX?
HMX is a man-made, colorless liquid chemical which stands for High Melting Explosive. HMX will dissolve slightly in water. A very small amount of HMX will turn into a vapor in the air. It can also attach to dust or particles in air. The taste and smell of HMX are not known.
What is the fastest burning explosive?
Octanitrocubane
Octanitrocubane has a detonation velocity of 10,100 m/s, making it the fastest known explosive.
What is the difference between RDX and PETN?
PETN has been replaced in many applications by RDX, which is thermally more stable and has a longer shelf life. PETN can be used in some ram accelerator types.
Is dynamite or TNT stronger?
It’s the small explosion of the blasting cap that is required to cause the nitroglycerin to explode. You may see some explosives labeled “TNT” that look like dynamite. TNT stands for trinitrotoluene, which is also an explosive but quite different from dynamite. Dynamite is actually much more powerful than TNT.
What is PETN used for?
In its pure form, PETN is a granular white powder that can be set off by simple friction. But as an ingredient in plastic explosives, PETN is more stable and is commonly used in metallurgy, demolition, rock blasting and even for creating sculptures. It is also a common ingredient in most bomb shells and missiles.
What are the effects of HMX on rabbits?
HMX is poorly absorbed by ingestion. When applied to the dermis, it induces mild skin irritation but not delayed contact sensitization. Various acute and subchronic neurobehavioral effects have been reported in rabbits and rodents, including ataxia, sedation, hyperkinesia, and convulsions.
What are the long-term effects of HMX?
The chronic effects of HMX that have been documented through animal studies include decreased hemoglobin, increased serum alkaline phosphatase, and decreased albumin. Pathological changes were also observed in the animals’ livers and kidneys.
What are the neurobehavioral effects of hydroxyzine (HMX)?
Various acute and subchronic neurobehavioral effects have been reported in rabbits and rodents, including ataxia, sedation, hyperkinesia, and convulsions. The chronic effects of HMX that have been documented through animal studies include decreased hemoglobin, increased serum alkaline phosphatase, and decreased albumin.
What is octanitrocubane?
Octanitrocubane is the densest explosive yet. Because it has no hydrogen, it produces no water vapor. When used as a propellant in rockets, this would mean that it would leave no vapor trail, and it would be harder to detect and track. Octanitrocubane is up to 30% more powerful than the most powerful common military explosive, HMX.