A MgAl2O4 (MA) spinel layer was synthesized on Ti3AlC2 substrate through the molten salt synthesis (MSS) method. The Ti3AlC2 substrate was immersed in MgCl2 center dot 6H(2)O powders and treated at 8001, 8501, and 900 degrees C for 4 h in air. A continuous and 10-mu m-thick MgAl2O4 layer was obtained at 900 degrees C, by which the surface hardness of Ti3AlC2 can be effectively improved. The combined scanning electron microscopy observations and crystal morphology simulation further revealed that the as-formed MgAl2O4 presents tetragonal bipyramids morphology with (400)-orientation.