Catalogue description Ministry of Supply and Ministry of Aviation: Directorate of Materials and Explosive Research and Development: Reports and Technical Notes

The Directorate of Materials and Explosives Research and Development (DMXRD) was set up in 1948 under the Department of the Controller of Munitions in the Ministry of Supply. In 1959 DMXRD was transferred to the newly formed Ministry of Aviation to became part of the Controllerate of Guided Weapons and Electronics (CGWL). Subsequently, DMXRD became part of the Procurement Executive of the Ministry of Defence.

DMXRD was the headquarters directorate responsible for the Explosives Research and Development Establishment (ERDE) at Waltham Abbey. Its programme also included a Materials Advisory Service in London, a Materials Laboratory at Waltham Abbey and the Tropical Testing Establishment in Nigeria. It provided funding and direction for the work at Waltham Abbey and co-ordinated work with other agencies. Thus, the directorate was responsible for setting up development contracts with industry (e.g. ICI) and extra-mural research conracts with universities.

The records in the series consist mainly of technical reports on the properties of various plastics, adhesives, rubbers and other materials.