Temperature‐Dependent Microstructure and Performance of Extrusion‐Shear Processed ZK60 Magnesium Alloy

This study systematically investigates the influence of extrusion temperature (200, 250, and 300 °C) on the microstructural evolution, mechanical properties, and tribological behavior of a ZK60 magnesium alloy processed by an extrusion‐shear (ES) technique. Through comprehensive characterization methods including scanning electron microscopy /electron backscatter diffraction, room‐temperature tensile/compression tests, hardness measurements, and rotary wear tests, the critical role of temperature in governing dynamic recrystallization (DRX) mechanisms, texture development, fracture modes, and wear mechanisms is elucidated. The results indicate that increasing the extrusion temperature leads to grain coarsening and a nonmonotonic variation in basal texture intensity, which peaks at 250 °C. The ES processing at 200 °C promotes continuous DRX, resulting in a homogeneous fine‐grained microstructure that yields an optimal combination of mechanical strength and wear resistance. At 250 °C, the dominance of dynamic recovery leads to significant texture strengthening but a consequent degradation in ductility and wear performance. At 300 °C, the activation of discontinuous DRX alongside grain coarsening results in microstructural heterogeneity and inferior properties. This work provides fundamental insights and practical guidelines for optimizing the ES process parameters of ZK60 alloy for enhanced performance under demanding service conditions.