Chemo-mechanical coupling effect in the high-temperature oxidation of metal materials: A review

The metal materials are susceptible to be oxidized when they are exposed to the complex and harsh environments, especially at the elevated temperature. The development of corresponding chemo-mechanical coupling theory is indispensable in theoretically and numerically predicting the material properties reduction and failures due to the oxidation. In this paper, we review the historical sketch of the coupling theory of chemical reactions and mechanics in the high-temperature oxidation of metal materials. The oxidation results in the stress generation while the generated stress in turn affects the chemical reaction rate and the diffusion process of the reactants. It is therefore a complex chemo-mechanical coupling problem. This review begins with the discussion of the diffusion-controlled oxidation, and then discusses the stress-dependent diffussion during the oxidation and the oxide growth induced stress, and ends with the discussion of interaction between chemical reactions and stress. This review of chemo-mechanical coupling literature is not exhaustive; we review much of the fundamental literature and draw comparisons of coupling theory development in the filed of metal oxidation.