In this study borocarburizing was used for the formation of gradient boride layers. The microstructure, microhardness profiles and the low-cycle fatigue strength during radial compression of carburized, borided and borocarburized layer have been compared. The gradient borocarburized layers, formed by boriding of previously carburized substrate, are characterized by two zones in diffusion layer: iron borides zone and carburized zone. After borocarburizing the iron borides show a tendency towards a loss of the needle-like nature. The hardness gradient between iron borides and low-carbon substrate is reduced. The microhardness beneath the iron borides decreases to 900 HV in carburized zone and next gradually decreases to 400-450 HV in the core of steel. The highest resistance to low-cycle fatigue during radial compression has been observed in case of carburized and through hardened layer. The fatigue strength of gradient boride layer (borocarburized and through hardened) is a little lower. The typical borided and through hardened layer is characterized by the lowest resistance to low-cycle fatigue during radial compression. The profiles of stresses after boriding and borocarburizing have been compared. The obtained pro. le of stresses and the lower values of tensile stresses at the surface can be the reason for higher frictional wear resistance of borocarburized layers and for higher fatigue strength of these layers, too. (C) 2008 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.