GCr15 steel is widely used in bearing,pin shaft of chain transmission and die manufacturing industry.Because of the low hardness of conventional heat treatment,the surface of GCr15 steel is prone to wear and failure.The surface strengthening technology can effectively improve the hardness and wear resistance of GCr15 steel.The surface strengthening technologies of GCr15 steel at home and abroad were introduced,the characteristics of five surface strengthening technologies,such as laser surface treatment,ion implantation,spraying,vapor deposition and chemical heat treatment were summarized,and the research achievements of five surface strengthening technologies in improving the tribological behaviors of steel were reviewed.The influence of different surface treatment methods on tribological behaviors of GCr15 steel was discussed,and the development direction of surface modification technology of GCr15 steel was prospected.