FIELD: heat treatment of metals with the aid of concentrated energy sources; applicable in recovery of serviceability and increase of service life of metal products showing surface defects in form of cracks. SUBSTANCE: the offered method includes treatment of defective zone with scanning focused laser beam with constant cooling rate of molten metal through its entire depth to form initial structure of material in zone of defect location. In so doing, the cooling rate is determined by relation offered in the invention description. EFFECT: increased service life of metal products and exclusion of subsequent operation of bulk heat treatment. 2 tbl
