what is the bathtub hazard rate curve 
the bathtub curve is a visual representation of the typical failure rate of a product or group of products over time the bathtub image maps out three distinct periods the initial downward slope also known as infant mortality represents the timeframe when the product is first used and goes from a high failure occurrence to a low one next the line levels out and becomes flat depicting the useful life period when assets are expected to have a relatively constant failure risk then finally the slope moves upward taking the form of a bathtub as the product in question enters its wear out period and degrades at an accelerated pace the bottom linethe hazard rate is a simple yet effective way to determine the likelihood that an item will survive to a given time point that might not sound particularly useful or groundbreaking however in certain industries the concept is used to make key decisions 