Using X-ray structural and transmission electron microscopy analyses, specific features of the phase and structure transformations in armco-iron and steel 45 affected by a high-current electron beam up to 1011 W/cm2 power density have been studied. It was revealed that hardening of steel with martensite structure has a quasi-periodic character that is caused by the action of a shock wave. The action of a shock wave results in formation of a thin layer on the rear side of the samples. The layer is composed of subgrains of ot-ferrite of a regular hexagonal shape with thin layers of graphite on their boundaries.