Dendrite growth of energetic material RDX

1, 3, 5-trinitro-1, 3, 5-triazacyclohexane (C3H6N6O6, RDX) with different dendrite morphologies has been prepared under the non-equilibrium state through re-crystallization on glass substrates. Different growth models of RDX crystals have been induced by the saturation degree of solution and additive. The growth processes are captured and investigated using in situ observations. A possible mechanism has been proposed to explain the formation of RDX dendrite.

► We obtained RDX dendrites with different morphologies.
► We realized the first observation for the growth process.
► A possible mechanism was given for RDX dendrite growth.
► We found firstly that side-branches may develop from the crystal defects in trunk.
► The formation of RDX “fivefold” dendrite was originally observed.