Melt-SHS (Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis) was used for the preparation of Al-5Ti-1B master alloy.The quality ratio of Ti powder/TiO2 in initial powder mixture was varied from 0∶1 to 1∶0.The ICP, XRD and SEM were applied to evaluate the microstructure and grain refining efficiency.The results showed that the Al-5Ti-1B master alloy could be successful produced by the reaction of Al powder, TiO2 and H3BO3 in Al melt, while the reaction rate was slow, and the fluidity was impaired.The microstructure mainly presents the TiAl3 particles with long strip shape.A significant improvement was noted both in reaction rate and in the grain refining efficiency when Ti powder was added to the reactants and the ratio of Ti powder/TiO2 was 3∶2.The TiAl3 particles were reduced and the grain refining efficiency turned bad when Ti powder was totally used to supply Ti.