The effects of alloying element and grain refinement on the tensile properties of magnesium alloy poured into sand mold were investigated. The strength of magnesium alloy was greatly increased by the addition of aluminium and that was increased with the increased aluminum content added up to 8.10 wt% and decreased beyond that. Even though the strength of Mg-8.10 wt%Al alloy was rather decreased by the addition of zinc, that was increased with increased zinc content added up to 0.50 wt% and decreased with the increased one beyond that. The maximum tensile strength was obtained with 0.50 wt%Mn added. The strength and elongation were simultaneously increased with grain refinement and the optimum amount of strontium addition for this was 0.30 wt%. The optimum chemical composition was obtained and the yield strength, tensile strength and elongation of the alloy with this composition were 90.2, 176.3MPa and 4.43%, respectively.