The combustion-wave propagation of nickel-coated aluminum particles is studied theoretically for packing densities in the range of 10-100% of the theoretical maximum density. Emphasis is placed on the effect of packing density on the burning properties. The energy conservation equation is solved numerically and the burning rate is determined by tracking the position of the flame front. Atomic diffusion coefficients and reaction rate of isolated nickel-coated aluminum particles are input parameters to the model. The burning behaviors and combustion wave structures are dictated by the heat transfer from the flame zone to the unburned region. Five different models for the effective thermal conductivity of the mixture are employed. The impact of radiation heat transfer is also assessed. As a specific example, the case with a particle size of 79 mu m is considered in detail. The burning rate remains nearly constant (<1 cm/s) up to a packing density of 60%, and then increases sharply toward the maximum value of 11.55 cm/s at a density of 100%. The Maxwell-Eucken-Bruggeman model of thermal conductivity offers the most accurate predictions of the burning rate for all loading densities. (c) 2014 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.