Abstract Laser surface melting experiments have been carried out on the refractory-element-rich alloy M2 and the chromium-rich alloy 440-C. In the laser-melted zone of M2 the microstructure contains both δ-ferrite and austenite (γ) with residual amounts of carbides. A predominant feature is the formation of austenite (γ) by peritectic reaction of δ-ferrite with liquid. The extent to which the reaction proceeds depends upon position within the melted zone. Thus nearly pure γ is formed near the maximum melt depth and nearly pure δ at the external surface. In contrast to the rather complex microstructures in M2, laser melting produces a simple coupled growth δ-ferrite/Cr7C3 carbide eutectic structure in 440-C.