Experimental analysis of the pseudoelastic damping capacity of the Fe-30Mn-6Si-5Cr Shape Memory Alloy

This paper presents an experimental characterization of the damping capacity of the Fe-30Mn-6Si-5Cr subjected to cyclic tensile tests. Fe-SMA specimens underwent a specific heat treatment to improve their properties. At room temperature, the studied Fe-SMA showed different microstructures depending on the applied heat treatment. In order to define the best initial properties guaranteeing maximum pseudoelastic damping capacity (PDC), different types of initial microstructures were investigated: purely austenitic state and biphased states (austenite + stress induced and/or thermal martensite). The alloy was studied under different parameters such as loading-unloading frequencies, prestrain amount and operating temperatures. Experimental results were analyzed by computing the energy dissipated from hysteresis loops areas as well as the associated loss factor. Consequently, the beneficial role of the stress-induced martensite (M sigma 2500 m). Non-pregnant maternal home managers (n= 558, x age = 44.1, SD = 16.5 y) were interviewed regarding the number of different agricultural food crops cultivated and domestic animals raised in their family farm plots. DD was determined using the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women Score (MDD-W) based on the number of 10 different food groups consumed, and household food insecurity (HFI) was determined using the 8-item Household Food Insecurity Experience Scale. The women reported consuming an average of 53% of their total food from what they cultivated or raised. Women with higher DD [MMD-W score >= 5 food groups (79% of total sample)] were on farms that cultivated a greater variety of crops (x = 8.7 vs. 6.7), raised more animals (x = 17.9 vs. 12.7,p< 0.05), and reported lower HFI and significantly higher intakes of energy, protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin A (allp< 0.05). Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that FPD was only modestly related to DD, which together with years of education, per capita family income, and HFI accounted for 26% of DD variance. In rural areas of the Imbabura Province, small holder farmers still rely heavily on consumption of self-cultivated foods, but greater diversity of crops grown in family farm plots is only weakly associated with greater DD and lower HFI among the female caretakers.