Bathtub Curve

The Bathtub Curve is a graphical representation of the failure rate of a component or system over time, characterized by three distinct phases: "infant mortality" with a high failure rate from defects; "useful life" with a low failure rate; and "wear out" with a high failure rate as the component reaches end of life. Understanding the bathtub curve is helpful when planning maintenance strategies, particularly in determining when preventive maintenance should be performed to avoid failures.