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.