Mechanical Characterization and Fracture Behavior of Extruded ZK60A Magnesium Alloy

– The current study addresses the mechanical and fracture behaviors of extruded ZK60A magnesium alloy. This material has numerous potential structural applications, and its characteristics need to be determined for it to be used as a structural material. Tensile, hardness, and Charpy impact tests were performed as per American Society for Testing and Materials standards to determine the mechanical behavior of the material. Its fracture behavior was determined using plane-strain fracture toughness, stable crack growth, and fractographic tests. The fracture toughness was calculated from the fracture toughness–thickness curve obtained from fracture tests on single-edge notch bend specimens with fatigue pre-cracks. The stable crack growth studies were conducted using three-point bend specimens to determine the initiation and maximum loads and the range of stable crack growth for both mode I and mixed-mode loading cases. X-ray diffraction analysis of the alloy was also conducted. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the fracture surface morphologies of the specimens. This study addresses the structural analysis, advanced materials, and safety and reliability aspects of aerospace research.