Abstract

Reliability is a parameter of design, such as a system's performance or load ratings, and is concerned with the length of failure-free operation. It is difficult to conceptualize reliability as part of the usual design calculations. Further complications are the complexity of organizations needed to produce the large systems of today and the usual time and financial constraints on research and development. Reliability, as it relates to products or equipment, can be measured in various ways. Because it is a design parameter, it has to be addressed early in the design cycle. This article discusses terminology, models, and measurement of materials reliability.