Rdx explosive and method

Abstract

A method for producing particulate RDX is provided. RDX is dissolved and then precipitated with the precipitated RDX being separated from the mixture of solvent and anti-solvent and dried. The RDX has an increased insensitivity, i.e., it is more resistant to shock or impact stimuli and has a morphology characterized by a smooth surface and small particle size as formed.

1 . A method of making particulate RDX, the method including:
 dissolving RDX in a solvent forming a first solution;   adding an anti-solvent to the first solution, said anti-solvent being substantially miscible with the solvent and agitating the mixture;   precipitating out at least a portion of the RDX;   separating the precipitated RDX from the solvent and anti-solvent; and   drying the separated RDX.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solvent being at a temperature of less than about 5° C. during at least a portion of the precipitation. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the agitation and the temperature of the solvent during at least a portion of the agitation being sufficient to produce precipitated RDX that after drying the RDX has an average particle length of less than about 20 microns on average. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein at least a majority of the dried RDX particles being generally rod like in shape. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein at least a majority of the dried particles have a surface substantially free of sharply defined surface imperfections when viewed under a magnification of 5000×. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein at least a majority of the dried particles have a surface substantially free of surface imperfections larger than about 2 microns. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solvent including acetone. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the anti-solvent including hexane. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the solvent being at a temperature of less than about 0° C. during at least a portion of the precipitation. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dissolving and precipitation being conducted at a pressure of about one atmosphere absolute. 
   
   
       11 . An RDX product in particulate form with the average size of the particles being less than about 20 microns in length as formed. 
   
   
       12 . The RDX product of  claim 11  wherein at least a majority of the particles being generally rodlike in shape. 
   
   
       13 . The RDX product of  claim 12  wherein at least a majority of the particles having a surface substantially free of sharply defined visual imperfections. 
   
   
       14 . The RDX product of  claim 12  wherein at least a majority of the particles having a surface substantially free of surface imperfections larger than about 2 microns. 
   
   
       15 . The RDX product of  claim 11  wherein the RDX product having a resistance to impact stimuli of at least 25 cm as measured by Type 12 impact sensitivity testing using an ERL testing machine. 
   
   
       16 . The RDX products of  claim 11  contained in an explosive device. 
   
   
       17 . An RDX material in as formed particulate form having a resistance to impact stimuli of at least 25 cm as measured by Type 12 impact sensitivity testing using an ERL testing machine. 
   
   
       18 . The RDX material of  claim 17  having a resistance to impact stimuli of at least about 30 cm as measured by Type 12 impact sensitivity testing using an ERL testing machine. 
   
   
       19 . An RDX material in as formed particulate form having a resistance to impact stimuli of at least equal to HMX as measured by Type 12 impact sensitivity testing using an ERL testing machine.