Aging of RDX Crystal Qualities Investigated by Means of X-ray Diffraction Rocking Curves

Coarse particles of S-RDX (standard quality), I-RDX, and VI-RDX were aged artificially in air and argon, equivalent up to 25 years at 25°C, and the crystal qualities were investigated in terms of microstrain by means of X-ray diffraction rocking curves. The improved crystal quality of RDX survived artificial aging in contrast to a standard quality, were aging increased microstrain significantly. Besides aging details and mechanisms on crystal level are described and discussed, such as eutectic mixtures with HMX impurities, crystal growths, defect healing, surface diffusion and smoothing, and reconstruction of crystal faces, edges and corners in rounded particles.