A phase field model for a solid–liquid phase transition

A solid–liquid phase transition is studied, following a mathematical model based on the Ginzburg–Landau equation, by a decomposition of the mass density in two components ρ0, ρ1, where the first ρ0 is related with the pressure and the second ρ1 with the change of the order of the structure. Thermodynamic restrictions are obtained and a maximum theorem for the order parameter φ is proved.

► We study a solid–liquid phase transition using a Ginzburg–Landau equation model.
► We derive thermodynamic restrictions for the considered model.
► We establish a maximum theorem for the order parameter.