Abstract: Growth stress is generated during oxide scale growth process. At the same time, the growth process and integrity of oxide scale are significantly affected by the existence of growth stress. Particularly when mechanical loads are applied to the oxide/metal system, the situation becomes more complicated. Based on CLARKE’s growth strain theory, a comprehensive analytical model is presented to predict the stress evolution and oxidation process of metals in a high temperature environment. The interaction among applied mechanical loads, elastic strain, growth strain, creep strain and scale thickness is clarified. The predicted result is accurate and reliable. Without any applied loads, growth stress is accumulated along with time. The maximum stress is reached where deforming rate of growth strain and creep strain are equal. After that, growth stress is drawn down gradually. Oxide stress is influenced by the mechanical loads. The scale growth rate is promoted by tensile loads while retarded by compressive loads.

Key words: creep, model, oxidation, stress