Internal stresses were measured in the ferrite and cementite of two 1. 6% carbon steels with yield strengths of 57. 5 and 65 kg/sq mm, respectively. The maximum permanent set was 2. 3%. Compressive stresses were found in the ferrite and tensile stresses in the cementite. In the discussion of the results, the apparent nonequilibrium between microtensile and microcompressive stresses is emphasized.