This paper summarizes the surface engineering technologies having a substantial contribution to increasing operational performance of the parts as well as current trends in the implementation of surface processing technologies that imply technical benefits and minimum negative impact on the environment The experimental results illustrate the influence of during superficial thermal treatment by high frequency current heating and thermochemical treatment (ionic nitriding) on the structural and physic-mechanical characteristics of heat treatable steel pieces. Also experimental results allowed conclusions on optimal regimes of surface processing and comparative analysis of properties obtained through different methods of processing.