Durability is the ability of a product to stay working properly without needing too much repair during its normal use over time. Ways to measure durability include how many years it lasts, how many hours it is used, and how many times it can be used. In economics, items that last a long time are called durable goods.
Since there is no clear way to measure how long clothing lasts, price is now an important way to tell about its durability.
Requirements for product durability
Product durability depends on the ability to repair and restore items through proper maintenance. A long-lasting product must be able to change and improve with new technology, design, and features. This requires consumers to be willing to use older versions of products instead of always choosing the newest ones.
In the United Kingdom, the idea that product quality includes durability was not clearly defined until a change to the Sale of Goods Act 1979 in 1994. This update set clear standards for how well goods must perform over time.
Reliability testing checks how well a product or material can withstand use over time. Common tests look at how materials handle repeated stress, rubbing, rusting, and exposure to weather or other environmental conditions.
Product life spans and sustainable consumption
The lifespan of household items is an important part of using resources wisely. When products last longer, they help reduce the amount of resources used and meet needs without waste, which helps move toward a more sustainable way of living. Cooper (2005) created a model to show how important product lifespans are for making and using products in a sustainable way.
Types
Durability refers to how well a product can last and function over time. This includes the following physical properties:
- How materials change over time (especially plastics)
- Ability to resist dust buildup
- Ability to handle repeated use without breaking
- Ability to resist fire
- Ability to withstand radiation
- Ability to handle heat or cold
- Prevention of rot (decay)
- Prevention of rust
- Ability to resist breaking or bending
- Ability to stay dry when exposed to water
Examples
- Treated with chemicals to make it stronger, for example Superfest
- Long-lasting medical equipment
- Long-lasting water repellent