Washed and etched samples of Armco iron and Cr-steel (Cr content 1.2% by mass) were covered with a Ni-B layer in a galvanic bath based on NiCl2 and NaBH4 (90 degrees C, 2 h). Both samples were heated for 2 h at 1000 degrees C to diffuse B in substrate material and to form layers of Fe borides. Chem. compns. of tested materials and their hardness before and after heating were detd. by X-ray energy dispersion spectrometry and microhardness measurements, resp. The tests confirmed the effect of heat treatment on the presence of Fe borides in the heated samples on both substrate materials as well as on their hardness.