To achieve a precise and controlled laser process, an exhaustive analysis of the thermal behaviour of the material is necessary. In the present paper, a numerical simulation of the laser hardening process has been developed using both analytical solutions and the finite element code ANSYS(TM) to solve the heat transfer equation inside the treated material. The knowledge of the thermal cycles has enabled suitable processing parameters to be ascertained thus improving surface properties when metallic alloys have been irradiated. A simpler analytical method is also used to determine the mentioned parameters more quickly. This general purpose method has been applied to a specific experimental situation, namely the treatment of cylindrical pieces used in a multistage pump rotary jacket. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.