In this study, the mechanical and microstructural properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr cast alloy with 0.1% Sc under homogeneous, dissolution, and T6 and thermomechanical treatments with the aim of increasing the volume fraction of MgZn₂. Al₃(Sc,Zr) reinforcing precipitates were examined by hardness, microscopic examinations, tensile tests and software analysis. The results showed that, firstly, the hardness results are well proportional to the results of the tensile properties of alloys and, secondly, the strength of the alloy with thermomechanical treatments compared to T6 treatments increased from 492 MPa to 620 MPa and the elongation increased from 8% to 17% and was 100% upgraded. Microstructural and fracture cross section investigations showed that Al₃(Sc,Zr) nanosize dispersoids were evenly distributed among MgZn₂ dispersoids and the alloy fracture was of semi-ductile type and nanosize dispersoids less than 10 nm were observed at the end of the dimples in the fracture section. The volume fraction of nanosize dispersoids in the whole microstructure of thermomechanical treatment samples was also much higher than that of T6 heat treated samples, so that the percentage of Al₃(Sc,Zr) precipitates arrived from less than 1% in T6 operation to 8.28% in the quench-controlled thermomechanical operation (with 50% deformation). The quality index (QI) in thermomechanical treatment samples is 19% higher than T6 samples, so that this index has increased from 641 in T6 operation to 760 in samples under thermomechanical treatment due to precipitate morphology, volume fraction of precipitates, their uniform distribution in the matrix, and nano sized precipitates in samples under thermomechanical treatment.

Despite Iran’s considerable renewable energy (RE) potential and excellent wind capacity and high solar radiation levels, these sources contribute only a small fraction of the country’s total energy production. This paper addresses the techno-economic viability of gray hydrogen production by these renewables, with a particular focus on solar energy. Given the considerable potential of solar energy and the strategic location of Shahrekord, it would be an optimal site for a hydrogen generation plant integrated with a solar field. HOMER Pro 3.18.3 software was utilized to model and optimize the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of steam reforming using different hydrocarbons in various scenarios. The results of this study indicate that natural gas (NG) reforming represents the most cost-effective method of gray hydrogen production in this city, with an LCOH of −0.423 USD/kg. Other hydrocarbons such as diesel, gasoline, propane, methanol, and ethanol have a price per kilogram of produced hydrogen as follows: USD −0.4, USD −0.293, USD 1.17, USD 1.48, and USD 2.15. In addition, integrating RE sources into hydrogen production was found to be viable. Moreover, by implementing RE technologies, CO₂ emissions can be significantly reduced, and energy security can be achieved.

This study sought to design and characterize the Fe, SiC, Cu, and C metal matrix composite (MMC) with optimum SiC content to obtain sufficiently good wear resistance performance. For this purpose, Fe, Cu, graphite, and BaSO₄ (Fe-11Cu-6.5G-6BaSO₄) with 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 wt.% SiC powders (in the range of 45–150 um) were milled for the fabrication of the composite. Then, sintering was performed by hot press at 1000 °C under 400 MPa in a controlled atmosphere furnace. Wear, and coefficient of friction (COF) were then carried out on the samples under 20 N and 700 rpm for 1000 m. SEM micrographs and EDS analysis were also utilized for the wear mechanism. According to the studies of worn surfaces, it was found that at the beginning of the sliding distance, the abrasion mechanism was predominant, and by increasing the sliding distance of plastic deformation, adhesive wear and oxidation were activated. It was concluded that the weight loss decreases less and has a constant and more appropriate COF due to an increase in SiC to an optimal value, i.e., 10%. In addition, wear resistance and hardness increase due to increased SiC. Therefore, due to the low wear rate and suitable coefficient of friction, composite Fe-11Cu-10SiC-6.5G-6BaSO₄ can be introduced as brake pad applications.