wearandtear

Wear and tear is the natural, gradual deterioration that occurs in materials and components due to normal use and aging. It is distinguished from sudden damage caused by accidents, misuse, or vandalism. In law and accounting, wear and tear denotes the expected decline in condition or value of property over time.

Causes include mechanical wear from friction and contact between surfaces, abrasive particles, and surface fatigue from repeated loading. Environmental factors such as moisture, temperature fluctuations, chemical exposure, UV light, and corrosion contribute. Poor lubrication, misalignment, and inadequate maintenance accelerate wear. The process results in material loss, loss of tolerance, noise, reduced efficiency, or functional impairment.

Examples can be seen in many domains. In vehicles, brake pads wear down, tires wear, and engine components degrade with use. In buildings, flooring, door seals, and plumbing fixtures show wear; electronics may exhibit gradual performance decline; furniture finishes become worn through.

Management of wear and tear focuses on slowing and mitigating its effects. Regular inspection and preventive maintenance aim to extend component life, while replacement strategies rely on service hours, mileage, measured tolerances, or performance checks. In leases and accounting, wear and tear is used to estimate depreciation and to determine the condition upon return of a property, though definitions and rules vary by jurisdiction.

See also: wear, depreciation, maintenance, lifecycle management.