Final answer:
The destruction of the 2,400 defective plates in the Dittenhoefer fine China case represents an internal failure cost in quality management.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Dittenhoefer fine china case, where a worker accidentally set the polymer coating machine to the wrong temperature destroying 2,400 defective plates, the type of quality cost incurred is an internal failure cost. These costs are associated with defects found before the product reaches the customer. It's distinct from appraisal costs which involve evaluation, external failure costs which are related to defects found after the product reaches the customer, and prevention costs which are incurred to keep errors from occurring in the first place.