Continuum modelling of transformation hysteresis in a metal hydride system

Abstract

Charging many metal films or powders with hydrogen results in the growth of second-phase metal hydride particles. A large volume difference between hydride and metal can induce plastic deformation and result in a significant hysteresis upon removal of the hydrogen. For a palladium hydride system (with an 11% volume change), we estimate this hysteresis with calculations of the elastic and plastic works of multiple forward and reverse transformations using a two-dimensional finite-element model and find reasonable agreement between finite-element estimates and experimental observations. We also use a three-dimensional phase-field model to determine the effects of particle interactions, but for the isotropic dilation in the Pd/PdH system, these interactions do not apparently have a significant effect.