The surface of cyclotrimethylene-trinitramine (RDX), a commonly used crystalline explosive was studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM). A diversity of surface defects was observed in different RDX particles as well as different parts of the same particle. Statistical analysis was undertaken to model the observed surface characteristics with the known shock sensitivities of the material. To quantify the surface defects observed on the crystalline surface of the RDX particles, surface roughness measurements were acquired. It was determined that there exists a statistically significant relationship between surface roughness characteristics and the shock sensitivity of the material. Published by Elsevier B. V.