Abstract: In order to improve the wear performance of 304 stainless steel, a method of laser shock processing(LSP) was put forward. The microstructure and performances of 304 stainless steel which are treated with and without laser shock peening were examined by electron backscattering diffraction(EBSD), microhardness and the ball milling experiment, the wear mechanism of 304 stainless steel produced by laser shock peening was discussed. The result shows that the wear rate of samples is decreases and microhardness is increased from 200 HV in primitive state to 260 HV which is treated by LSP. Under the action of grain fragmentation, a large number of sub structure formation at surface and the martensitic phase transformation, the microhardness and wear resistance of 304 stainless steel are improved.