This work considers the questions of low-alloy tool steel cementation by laser treatment. The model of surface layer carbon saturation from the laser-induced plasma is shown. It is described that the diffusion process in the laser treatment can not be explained only by the influence of temperature gradient. The results of the experimental work confirmed the increasing intensity of the process surface layer saturation with carbon. The work describes the influence of the laser emission power on surface layer microstructure formation. The test results of the hardened samples showed an approximately two-time increase in durability.