Effects of adding powdered metals with the solid propellants - A review

Rocket engines that use solid propellants are widely used in the commercial space flight industry for powering orbital-class launch vehicles and small research rockets. Thrust and the specific impulse developed by a rocket engine are essential properties of a rocket propulsion system, and it specifies the overall performance of a rocket. These properties heavily influenced by the burn-rate properties of the solid propellants. One of the many methods to improve the burn rate of the solid propellant is the addition of metallic powders into the fuel-oxidizer matrix. This technique has been observed to enhance the burn rate of the solid propellants; several studies have concluded the same. On the other hand, these additives result in the release of metal oxides into the atmosphere and lead to a higher amount of environmental pollution. This paper summarizes the effects of adding metals and their concentrations on the burning properties of the solid propellants.