HMX (Octogen)

CAS ID #: 002691-41-0

HMX (Octogen) is an acronym for High Melting eXplosive. It is also known as octogen and cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine, as well as by other names. It is a colorless solid that dissolves slightly in water. Only a small amount of HMX (Octogen) will evaporate into the air; however, it can occur in air attached to suspended particles or dust. The taste and smell of HMX (Octogen) are not known.

HMX (Octogen) does not occur naturally in the environment. It is made from other chemicals known as hexamine, ammonium nitrate, nitric acid, and acetic acid. HMX (Octogen) explodes violently at high temperatures. Because of this property, HMX (Octogen) is used in various kinds of explosives, rocket fuels, and burster chargers. A small amount of HMX (Octogen) is also formed in making cyclotrimethylene-trinitramine (RDX), another explosive similar in structure to HMX (Octogen).