Phase field modeling with deformation‐dependent interface energies

In the last years, the phase field method has established itself for the simulation of various problem types, especially in the fields of microstructure evolution and phase transformations as well as in fluid dynamics. Concerning the first two cases, usually a constant, deformation‐independent, surface energy is considered. In this work, however, deformation‐dependent surface elasticity according to [5] will be incorporated into phase field theory. In line with [4], a finite element framework for an Allen‐Cahn type phase field model coupled to continuum mechanics is presented, which is solved in a monolithic manner by means of Newton's method. The resulting model also accounts for a spatial evolution of the diffuse interface by a functional of Ginzburg–Landau type. The implemented model is employed in numerical simulations. These will be used to study the behavior of the phase field model.