Durability (how does the product last)

-is a measure of how much use a person gets from a product before it breaks down to such a
point and replacement makes more sense than continual repair
-it measures the length of a product life. It has both economic and technical dimension.
Technically, durability can be defined as the amount of use one gets from a product before it
deteriorates.

2 Important Implications of Durability

First, it suggests that durability and reliability are closed link. A product that fails more often is
likely to be trashed than the one that is less likely to fail which is more reliable.
Second, it implies that durability figures should be interpreted with care.
Durability Testing
1. Vibration Testing – in vibration testing, the vibration environment to which products
will be exposed to in real use is reproduced. Products are tested in this environment to
judge their durability.
2 Types
a. Vibration experiment- vibration testing that is used to test a sample or representative
model of volume production. It is used to improve the product design.
b. Vibration stress screening-all production products are tested to eliminate faulty units
and approved good units. It may be compulsory in certain industries.

2. Shock Test- replicates events to determine if structure can withstand sudden applied
forces. Shocks are characterized by their short duration and sudden occurrence.
3. Climate Testing – materials can deteriorate over time, ageing prematurely due to high or
low temperature extremes.
- A climate test makes use of an environmental test chamber which artificially
replicates the conditions under which machinery, materials, devices or components
might be exposed.