An improved error bound for a finite element approximation of a model for phase separation of a multi-component alloy

Using the approach of Rulla (1996 SIAM J. Numer. Anal. 33, 68-87) for analy sing the time discretization error and assuming more regularity on the init ial data, we improve on the error bound derived by Barrett and Blowey (1996 IMA J. Numer Anal. 16, 257-287) for a fully practical piecewise linear fin ite element approximation with a backward Euler time discretization of a mo del for phase separation of a multi-component alloy.