Metal Propellant

a rocket propellant that contains light metals, such as lithium, beryllium, magnesium, and aluminum, in the form of a powder or their chemical compounds (hydrides or organometallic compounds). In many cases metals and their compounds increase the specific thrust; boron-containing propellants also have this advantage. Aluminized solid rocket propellants, as well as liquid metal launch propellants (triethyl aluminum), are used to effect chemical ignition in motors that use liquid oxygen as the oxidant. Experimental studies are being conducted to develop rocket propellants containing boron and beryllium.