MgH2, Mg2NiH4, and Mg2CuH3 were prepared, and their structure and hydrogen storage properties were determined through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermal analyzer. The effects of MgH2, Mg2NiH4, and Mg2CuH3 on the thermal decomposition, burning rate, and explosive heat of ammonium perchlorate-based composite solid propellant were subsequently studied. Results indicated that MgH2, Mg2NiH4, and Mg2CuH3 can decrease the thermal decomposition peak temperature and increase the total released heat of decomposition. These compounds can improve the effect of thermal decomposition of the propellant. The burning rates of the propellant increased using Mg-based hydrogen storage materials as promoter. The burning rates of the propellant also increased using MgH2 instead of Al in the propellant, but its explosive heat was not enlarged. Nonetheless, the combustion heat of MgH2 was higher than that of Al. A possible mechanism was thus proposed. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.