Stability and convergence of two discrete schemes for a degenerate solutal non-isothermal phase-field model

Abstract

We analyze two numerical schemes of Euler type in time and C0 finite-element type with P1-approximation in space for solving a phase-field model of a binary alloy with thermal properties. This model is written as a highly non-linear parabolic system with three unknowns: phase-field, solute concentration and temperature, where the diffusion for the temperature and solute concentration may degenerate. The first scheme is nonlinear, unconditionally stable and convergent. The other scheme is linear but conditionally stable and convergent. A maximum principle is avoided in both schemes, using a truncation operator on the Po projection onto the L2 finite element for the discrete concentration. In addition for the model when the heat conductivity and solute diffusion coefficients are constants, optimal error estimates for both schemes are shown based on stability estimates. © 2009 EDP Sciences SMAI.