Ni-Al based intermetallic compounds of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) by the heat of molten aluminum and been coated on the aluminum casting alloy. The effects of the pouring temperature in casting and the thickness of casting substrate on SHS of the coating layer have been investigated. The experimental result showed that the reaction of the coating layer was activated with increasing the pouring temperature in casting and the thickness of casting substrate. However, the aluminum substrate was re-melted by the heat of formation for intermetallic compounds. Then, it was considered that some mechanical or thermal treatments for elemental powder mixtures were required to control the heat of formation for intermetallic compounds in advance.