High-pressure torsion (HPT) refers to the processing of metals whereby samples are subjected to a compressive force and concurrent torsional straining. Although the fundamental principles of this procedure were first proposed more than 60 years ago, processing by HPT became of major importance only within the last 20 years when it was recognized that this metal forming process provides an opportunity for achieving exceptional grain refinement, often to the nanometer level, and exceptionally high strength. This review summarizes the background and basic principles of processing by HPT and then outlines the most significant recent developments reported for materials processed by HPT. It is demonstrated that HPT processing leads to an excellent value for the strength of the material, reasonable microstructural homogeneity if the processing is continued through a sufficient number of torsional revolutions and there is a potential for achieving a capability for various attractive features including superplastic forming and hydrogen storage. The review also describes very recent developments including the application of HPT processing to bulk and ring samples and the use of HPT for the consolidation of powders. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.