Life Testing:
The life of a part is one of its quality criteria. The life of a component may be defined as the time period during which the part retains its quality characteristics. Life tests are carried out in order to access the working life of a product, its capabilities and hence to form an idea of its quality level.
Life tests are carried out in different manners under various conditions:
- Tests under Actual Working Conditions: To subject a component to its actual working conditions for full duration for life test.
- Tests under Intensive Conditions:
- Tests under Accelerated Conditions: These tests are conducted under severe operating conditions to quicken the product failure or break-down.
Reliability and Reliability Prediction:
The study of reliability is important because it is related to the quality of a product. Generally, components having low reliability are of poor quality but extra high quality does not always make a product of higher reliability. A poorly designed component even having very good material, surface finish and tolerances may have low reliability. The reliability prediction involves a quantitative evaluation of the existing and proposed product designs. It leads to a much better end product.
