The thermal decomposition of RDX at temperatures below the melting point. III. Towards the elucidation of the mechanism

Abstract

The rate of thermal decomposition of RDX has been investigated in the presence of its decomposition products and free radical traps. From the measurements, it is concluded that formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide, presumably ?encaged? in the sample, catalyse the decomposition of RDX positively and negatively respectively. The non-volatile residue also acts as a positive catalyst. The other products have little or no effect on the rate, and the free radical traps did not reduce the rate.