Abstract: The feasibility , Characteristics and significance of laser beam case hardening has been studied by applying a 2kW continuous CO2 laser beam in the case hardening of gear teeth flanks . The distribution in surface microhardness , structural changes , and surface distortions were studied . Contact fatigue strength limits of the gear tooth flanks after laser beam hardening were determined by Locati contact fatigue tests . When compared with gear teeth made of the same materid (steel 30CrMnTi )but induction hardened , the test samples showed less distortion , better smoothness , higher hardness (around HV 873) and higher contact fatigue strength (1323.1 MPa ).