The derivation of the Allen-Cahn and Cahn-Hilliard equations is based on the
Clausius-Duhem inequality. This is not a derivation in the strict sense of the
word, since other phase field equations can be fomulated satisfying this
inequality. Motivated by the form of sharp interface problems, we formulate
such an alternative equation and compare the properties of the models for the
evolution of phase interfaces in solids, which consist of the elasticity
equations and the Allen-Cahn equation or the alternative equation. We find that
numerical simulations of phase interfaces with small interface energy based on
the alternative model are more effective then simulations based on the
Allen-Cahn model.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1505.0544