Degradation Mechanism
A degradation mechanism is the physical, chemical, electrical, thermal, or mechanical process that progressively reduces equipment condition or performance.
What this term means in maintenance
A degradation mechanism is the physical, chemical, electrical, thermal, or mechanical process that progressively reduces equipment condition or performance.
Examples
Degradation mechanisms include:
- Corrosion
- Erosion
- Fatigue
- Wear
- Creep
- Oxidation
- Insulation aging
- Contamination
- Fouling
- Thermal cycling
Practical example
A pipe loses wall thickness through erosion-corrosion caused by high-velocity process fluid.
Why mechanisms matter
Understanding the mechanism helps select inspection method, interval, material, operating limit, and maintenance strategy.
Evidence
Use inspection, failed components, operating conditions, laboratory analysis, and engineering assessment.
Common mistake
Using a generic cause such as “old age” does not identify the actual process creating deterioration.
Related concepts
Related maintenance terms
Keep exploring connected CMMS, reliability, and maintenance planning terms.
Failure Mode
A failure mode describes the specific way an asset, component, or function fails to meet its required performance.
Corrosion Rate
Corrosion rate is the estimated loss of material thickness over a defined period caused by corrosion.
Wear-Out Failure
A wear-out failure occurs when age, cycles, fatigue, erosion, corrosion, or material degradation progressively increases failure probability.
Degradation Mechanism FAQs
- What is a degradation mechanism?
The physical, chemical, electrical, thermal, or mechanical process reducing asset condition.
- What are examples of Degradation Mechanism?
Corrosion, erosion, fatigue, wear, creep, oxidation, contamination, fouling, and thermal cycling.
- Why identify the mechanism?
It guides inspection method, interval, material, operating limits, and maintenance strategy.