The structure and properties of 12Cr1MoV steel irradiated with a zirconium ion beam were studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and micro-and nanoindentation. It is shown that the modification covers the entire cross-section of the irradiated specimens to a depth of 1 mm. The data on irradiation-induced structural changes are used to interpret the changes in mechanical properties of the irradiated specimens under static and cyclic loading. Particular attention is given to analysis of strain estimation by the digital image correlation method. 261 262 PANIN et al. PHYSICAL MESOMECHANICS Vol. 18 No. 3 2015 .ig. 1. Schematic of ion beam treatment: 1specimens; 2 ion gun.