RDX and HMX are just like TNT. They have almost the same chemical composition. RDX was discovered in 1890 if that gives you a frame of reference. Nitro is more explosive than these other two TNT-derivatives.
| 8 | “RDX and HMX are just like TNT.” |
In all primary measures, TNT is nothing at all like RDX and TNT.
| TNT | RDX | HMX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| velocity of detonation, km/s | 6.94 | 8.64 | 9.10 |
| detonation pressure, GPa | 18.9 | 33.8 | 39.3 |
| heat of detonation, kJ/g | 4.23 | 5.54 | 5.67 |
| 8 | “They have almost the same chemical composition.” |
They are from entirely different chemical classes. TNT is a monocyclic aromatic explosive, while RDX and HMX, are open chain aliphatic explosives.
| 8 | “Nitro is more explosive than these other two TNT-derivatives.” |
"Nitro" is a generic term for any of a half dozen different explosives. In any event, none of the explosives generically referred to as "nitro" are anywhere close to RDX or HMX in any parameters that might be interpreted as being "more explosive".
--Boot Hill