Several kinds of grain refinement processes for Mg-Al series alloy were surveyed.Effects of C

2

Cl

6

on the composition

density

microstructure and mechanical properties of the AM60 alloy were investigated by XRF spectrometer

optical microscope

Brinell hardness tester

electronic balance and MTS material testing machine etc.The results show that C

2

Cl

6

has good effects on grain refinement

greatly improving the mechanical properties of the AM60 alloy castings.Compared with those of the alloy free C

2

Cl

6

the grain size of as-cast AM60 alloy with the optimum addition of 1% C

2

Cl

6

can be decreased from 250 μm to 70 μm

and tensile strength is 237 MPa and elongation is 18.9%

increased by 11.3% and 65.8%

respectively.Furthermore

the mechanisms of grain refinement and strengthening of Mg-Al series alloy with C

2

Cl

6

were approached.