1. The kinetics of austenite grain growth in 18KhNVA steel at 930°C depends upon the rate of heating to 930°C and the preliminary heat treatment as a result of the high tendency of this steel toward structural hereditary. 2. An increase in the heating rate of 18KHNVA steel leads to the formation of an unstable fine-grained structure which is prone in subsequent isothermal holding to rapid coarsening by merging of the grains as a result of their low disorientation. 3. Preliminary tempering and slow heating stabilize the grain structure of the steel and the process of merging becomes more difficult since it must be preceded by turning (accomodation) of the grains.