Towards a Phase Field Model for Phase Transitions in Binary Alloys

To date phase field models have only been used to model non-isothermal phase transitions in a pure material. Here we describe recent steps which aim to extend phase field models to deal with binary alloys; a situation of metallurgical and industrial importance. To this end we present a new phase field model for isothermal phase transitions in a binary alloy and discuss the results of an asymptotic analysis. Finally we suggest ways in which these models may be further developed to achieve our aim of a non-isothermal phase field model of a binary alloy.