Article. Published in UVN, 1999, t. 169, No11 with. 1243 - 1270 Bibliogram . - 159 naim. A detailed analysis of the current state of research (including the work of the authors) on the modification of iron, steels, alloys and some metal systems by pulsed powerful electron and ionic beams of medium intensity 106 - 109 W cm-2. Many processes that determine the defective structure and properties are described, formation of elastic and shock waves, mixing of multilayers, deposition of flue films and nanophase synthesis of powders are also considered. The results obtained at various research centers demonstrate the wide possibilities of such processing of materials and improving the performance of products from them.