Some Economic Problems Related to Burn-In Programs

We consider the problems raised by the requirement of N components, some or all of which are subjected to a burn-in program lasting a time T. A model is first analyzed in which N components are initially subjected to burn-in and failures are replaced at the end of the program by components that have not been burnt in. Then generalizations of this model are analyzed. These include one in which M > N components are subjected to bum-in initially and one in which intermediate replacements can be made at times before T.