A thermo-mechanically-coupled theory accounting for hydrogen diffusion and large elastic-viscoplastic deformations of metals

In this paper we develop a thermodynamically-consistent coupled-theory which accounts for diffusion of hydrogen, diffusion of heat, and large elastic-viscoplastic deformations of metals. The theory should be of utility in the analysis of hydrogen diffusion in elastic-plastically-deforming solids, an analysis which is an essential prerequisite for theoretical and numerical efforts aimed at modeling the integrity of structural components used for hydrogen gas storage and distribution. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.