|
|
Chemical Properties:
|
Compound
Names: |
HMX, Octogen,
and Cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine |
|
Molecular
Formula: |
C4H8N8O8 |
|
Molar Mass: |
296.17g |
|
Melting
Point: |
285oC |
|
Boiling
Point: |
None
(combusts before boiling) |
|
Density: |
1.903g/cm3 |
|
Toxicity: |
Unknown, but
thought to be toxic if inhaled or ingested |
|
Detonation Velocity: |
9100m/sec |
|
Odor: |
None |
|
Appearance: |
White powder |
Reaction Tendencies:
HMX, for a high explosive, is actually pretty stable. The reason the
military uses HMX so widely is because of this stability: in most
conditions HMX will only explode if you want it to. HMX is not known to
react violently with any other chemicals and usually won't even react at
all. Although HMX is stable when mixed with other chemicals and when
heated, it will still explode under heavy shock or friction and must be
desensitized in one way or another during transport. However, more
stable does not mean less powerful as HMX is currently the most powerful
high explosive used by the military.
HMX will not dissolve in water, but will dissolve in several other
chemicals, such as acetone. |