Abstract Al-Ti-C grain refiner was prepared by SHS (self-propagating high-temperature synthesis)-melting technique. The effect of La on the microstructures of grain refiner was studied by OM, TEM, SEM, XRD, and EDS. The experimental results indicate that La can improve the wettability between liquid aluminum and graphite; the addition of La results in dispersive distribution of TiAl 3 and TiC particles in the matrix. An excellent grain refining performance of Al-Ti-C grain refiner on commercially pure Al was obtained.