RDX Composition and Process for Its Manufacture

Abstract

An explosive composition can be produced by dissolving RDX in a volume of a first solvent to form a first solution, and adding a second solvent to the first solution. The second solvent is miscible with the first solvent, but RDX is soluble in the second solvent to an extent no greater than 1 g RDX/100 g of the second solvent. Precipitated RDX crystals can be recovered. The RDX crystals can have a crystal density of less than 1.80 g/cm 3 .

1 . A process for making an explosive, comprising: 
 dissolving RDX in a volume of a first solvent to form a first solution;    adding a second solvent to the first solution, wherein the second solvent is miscible with the first solvent, and wherein RDX is soluble in the second solvent to an extent no greater than 1 g RDX/100 g of the second solvent; and    recovering precipitated RDX crystals.    
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein RDX is soluble in the first solvent to an extent greater than 5 g RDX/100 g of the first solvent.  
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the first solvent is an organic solvent having about 2-10 carbon atoms.  
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the first solvent is acetone, dimethylsulfoxide, or dimethylformamide.  
   
   
       5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the second solvent is water.  
   
   
       6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the second solvent is added in a volume that is about 2-10 times the volume of the first solvent.  
   
   
       7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the recovered RDX crystals have a crystal density of less than 1.80 g/cm 3 .  
   
   
       8 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the recovered RDX crystals have a surface area of greater than about 1.15 m 2 /g.  
   
   
       9 . An explosive prepared by a process comprising: 
 dissolving RDX in a volume of a first solvent to form a first solution;    adding a second solvent to the first solution, wherein the second solvent is miscible with the first solvent, and wherein RDX is soluble in the second solvent to an extent no greater than 1 g RDX/100 g of the second solvent; and    recovering precipitated RDX crystals.    
   
   
       10 . The explosive of  claim 9 , wherein RDX is soluble in the first solvent to an extent greater than 5 g RDX/100 g of the first solvent.  
   
   
       11 . The explosive of  claim 9 , wherein the first solvent is an organic solvent having about 2-10 carbon atoms.  
   
   
       12 . The explosive of  claim 9 , wherein the first solvent is acetone, dimethylsulfoxide, or dimethylformamide.  
   
   
       13 . The explosive of  claim 9 , wherein the second solvent is water.  
   
   
       14 . The explosive of  claim 9 , wherein the second solvent is added in a volume that is about 2-10 times the volume of the first solvent.  
   
   
       15 . The explosive of  claim 9 , wherein the recovered RDX crystals have a crystal density of less than 1.80 g/cm 3 .  
   
   
       16 . The explosive of  claim 15 , wherein the recovered RDX crystals have a surface area of greater than about 1.15 m 2 /g.  
   
   
       17 . RDX crystals having a crystal density of less than 1.80 g/cm 3 .  
   
   
       18 . The RDX crystals of  claim 17 , wherein the RDX crystals have a surface area of greater than about 1.15 m 2 /g.  
   
   
       19 . The RDX crystals of  claim 17 , wherein detonation of the RDX crystals can be initiated with less than about 100 mJ.