The structure of retained austenite in wear-resistant steels 150KhNML and Kh12MFL of pearlitic and ledeburitic classes is studied under the conditions of abrasive wear after different variants of heat treatment. The working surfaces of the steels are subjected to electron microscope transmission analysis. It is shown that the retained austenite formed as a result of high-temperature quenching (1100 - 1170°C) is metastable and transforms into fine- and nanocrystalline strain martensite with regular periodic arrangement of crystals in the wear process in addition to slip and twinning. This provides a high capacity of the working surface for friction hardening. The optimum mode of heat treatment for formation of a dissipative structure with high abrasive wear resistance is chosen.