The selective laser melting（SLM） technology has the characteristics of rapid solidification.Therefore, refined microstructures and high-performance products can be obtained.The microstructure of magnesium alloy varies with the cooling rate(processing).And the higher the cooling rate, the finer the microstructure of the magnesium alloy.Different cooling rates also affect the phase composition of magnesium alloys. The SLM process inhibits the formation of the second phase in the magnesium alloy due to the characteristics of rapid solidification.Post-treatment processes, such as heat treatment and hot isostatic pressing（HIP）, can be applied to SLMed magnesium alloys. These processes help to close the pores , dissolve the second phase and reduce the source of cracks caused by the mismatch between the second phase and the α-Mg matrix, thereby improving the  mechanical properties of the magnesium alloy, especially the elongation.However, SLMed magnesium alloys need further research in the application of post-processing, alloy design, base material purification, and thermodynamic and kinetic theoretical calculations of intermetallic compounds.