This article presents the results of investigations of the effect of heat treatment temperature on the content of the carbide phase of HS3-1-2

and HS6-5-2 low-alloy high-speed steel. Analysis of the phase composition of carbides is carried out using the diffraction method. It is

determined that with increasing austenitising temperature, the intensification of dissolution of M6C carbide increases. As a result, an

increase in the grain size of the austenite and the amount of retained austenite causes a significant reduction in the hardness of hardened

steel HS3-1-2 to be observed. The results of diffraction investigations showed that M7C3 carbides containing mainly Cr and Fe carbides

and M6C carbides containing mainly Mo and W carbides are dissolved during austenitisation. During austenitisation of HS3-1-2 steel, the

silicon is transferred from the matrix to carbides, thus replacing carbide-forming elements. An increase in a degree of tempering leads to

intensification of carbide separation and this process reduce the grindability of tested steels.