Bathtub curve

Common term for the curve that describes the expected failure rate of electronics with time. Initially high, it drops to near 0 for the majority of the system’s lifetime and rises again as it wears out.

Early failure: Here the failure rate has a distinctly declining tendency.

Random failure: Within this range, the failure rate is constant; this range is generally described as its service life.

Failure due to wear: Here the failure rate increases as the component and material age.