A pulsed action of an electron beam on a Zr-1% Nb zirconium alloy is studied. Alloy samples are irradiated by three 50 μs pulses at an energy density of 15-25 J/cm 2 , a power of (3-6) × 10 4 W/cm 2 , a current density of 10-50 A/cm 2 , and an electron energy of 18 keV. This method of processing is found to modify the surface layer of the alloy without changing the structure-phase state of its volume. This surface modification increases the hydrogen saturation resistance of the alloy.