In this paper, the effect of the strain path on the evolution
characteristics of the microstructure and on the consequent
mechanical properties was studied for Zr702, a commercialpurity
Zr. Since Zr is the base metal for important nuclear
reactor components, it is of a considerable interest to apply
advanced processing techniques to develop the possibility
of upgrading its inherent material properties rather
than resorting to the alloying method. Therefore, the feasibility
of obtaining an ultra-fine grain size by severe plastic
deformation and also of delineating the strain path effect
on the mechanism of grain refinement was explored in this
study.