**Abstract**

The metallic materials such as steel, iron, titanium and nickel alloys etc., are extensively used in the automobile, marine, biomedical, aerospace, chemical industry and power generation sector. However, the poor surface properties restricted their wide usage in many applications. Therefore, the surface properties need to be enhanced through novel treatments without affecting the bulk. In recent years, laser surface modification attracts more due to their inherent properties. The laser based surface altering process is appropriate to modify the metallic surfaces in terms of their flexibility, simple operation and process economy. Laser surface modification includes; surface hardening, melting, alloying, cladding and texturing. Thus, from a process engineering, metallurgical reasons and tribologist view point, the laser surface modification process can be recognized as an important topic.

**Keywords:** laser hardening, melting, alloying, cladding and texturing
