Lebensdauerprüfungen

Lebensdauerprüfungen, also known as life testing or endurance testing, are a crucial part of product development and quality assurance. These tests are designed to determine how long a product, component, or material can function reliably under specified conditions before it fails or its performance degrades significantly. The primary goal is to predict the expected service life of a product in real-world use and to identify potential failure modes.

These tests simulate the stresses and environmental factors that a product will encounter during its operational lifetime. This can include mechanical stress such as vibration, fatigue, and impact, as well as environmental factors like temperature extremes, humidity, radiation, and exposure to chemicals. The tests can be conducted under accelerated conditions, meaning the product is subjected to higher stress levels than it would normally experience, to shorten the testing time and obtain results more quickly. Alternatively, they can be performed under normal operating conditions for a longer duration.

Data collected during Lebensdauerprüfungen is analyzed to estimate reliability metrics, such as Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) or Mean Time To Failure (MTTF), and to determine the probability of failure at different points in time. This information is vital for engineers to make informed decisions about design improvements, material selection, and setting warranty periods. Manufacturers use the results to ensure their products meet customer expectations for durability and to comply with industry standards and regulations. Ultimately, Lebensdauerprüfungen contribute to building trust and ensuring customer satisfaction by delivering products that are designed to last.