  Our recent modelling works and corresponding numerical simulations realized
to describe the UO2 oxidation processes confirm the theory showing that an
applied mechanical strain can strongly affect the local oxygen diffusion in a
stressed solid. This result allows us to assume that stress field, previously
applied at the surface of a metallic sample on several microns, will delay the
degradation during its oxidation. Considering this hypothesis, we implemented a
FEM simulation code developed in our laboratory to numerically investigate some
different stress fields applied on a sample sub-surface, that might
significantly modify the volume diffusion of oxygen during the oxidation
process. The results of our simulations are presented and discussed from the
perspective to study the consequences of a surface mechanical treatment on the
durability of a metallic material.
