Severe plastic deformation of Zn and Zn-based alloys

There has been much research on zinc and its alloys for being used in different industries and applications, mainly due to their low cost, availability, good wear resistance and mechanical properties. Moreover, zinc alloys have emerged as the latest advancement in the field of biodegradable metals, offering a more sustainable option with their moderate corrosion rate when compared to other biodegradable metals like magnesium and iron-based alloys. Nevertheless, mechanical properties of zinc alloys typically fall below the necessary levels for use in load-bearing implant applications. In this regard, severe plastic deformation serves as a distinctive technique to enhance the mechanical characteristics of zinc-based alloys, all while keeping the chemical composition intact. In addition to mechanical properties, and as is discussed in this article, SPD can affect other properties of Zn alloys, including biological and corrosion behavior. Over the past few years, extensive studies have been conducted to explore how various SPD processes impact the properties of zinc and its alloys. In this study, the main effects of SPD on the microstructure, mechanical properties, superplastic behavior, and corrosion of zinc and zinc allots together with the underlying mechanisms are reviewed.