The thermal decomposition of 1,3,5-trinitrohexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and RDXd6 at high temperatures

The ballistics behavior of nitramine propellants containing RDX in an inert binder was examined. It is shown that at 2000 to 5000 psi, depending on the particle size, a slope break or discontinuity in the log burning rate versus log pressure curve occurs. It is shown that at higher pressures the nitramine decomposition proceeds predominately by C-N bond rupture and gives CH2 and N20. At still higher pressures (after the slope break) the decomposition proceeds by N-N rupture. The decomposition of RDX was investigated from 170 to 800 C at atmospheric pressure. The major decomposition products were CH2, CO, CO2, N20, N2, and H20. The ratio of the products varied with the pyrolysis rate and temperature.