Abstract: This paper Presents experimental data on effect of carbon concentration and laser processing regimes on retained austenite quantity. The data on retained austenite decomposition during subsequent temperings at various temperatures as well as after holding at room temperature during 3 years are given.Correla- tion between structural broadening of the X - ray lines of retained gamma - phase and the amount of the latter has been discovered.Mechanisms responsible for the increased quantity of the retained austen- ite in carbon and low alloyed steels after laser hardening are described.

Key words: retained austenite, laser hardening, laser heat treatment, laser processing