ABSTRACT
This chapter covers the set of reliability statistics. The term reliability has numerous meanings. In the qualitative sense, products will either perform a required function under stated conditions for a stated period of time, or they will fail. The best way to understand reliability metrics is to first become familiar with the mathematical definition for reliability. Each region can be modeled with a different reliability function. The three main reliability distributions are Weibull, exponential, and log-normal types. Unlike the exponential and Weibull reliability functions, the normal distribution is not commonly used to analyze pass/fail type data. Reliability objectives will vary depending upon a product’s capability. There are two types of reliability failures: parametric and catastrophic. Reliability studies often result in less-than-complete or censored data. The pass/fail type of reliability experiments can either be a simple demonstration, an investigative test, or a statistically significant test.
