The aim of this paper is to discuss different couplings between diffusion, re- crystallisation/grain growth, strain/stress, heat transfer and thermo-mechanical behaviour of metallic materials. The understanding of these different physical phenomena is needed to predict the long-term life of mechanical parts in components. Some results are presented and further studies are suggested to improve the evaluation of the (inter)diffusion and re- crystallisation parameters in fine-grained electroplated Ni/Cu materials. To illustrate the coupling between elasticity and diffusion, classical results in homogenisation consistent with the main diffusion regime are used to predict the change in elastic moduli with time.