AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to discuss a basic reliability analysis method that is beneficial to fusion component test planning. Emphasis is placed on formulating the problem to be solved and on determining the required test time and the number of test articles needed to verify a performance or a failure criterion. While an increasing failure rate is likely to be the case for the fusion component resulting from irradiation effects, analysis is performed to show how the life characteristics impact the test requirements. Taking into account the available data from similar technology experiences, calculations based on the Bayesian approach indicate a possible saving on the test time requirement.