Mass, Force, Pressure
Measurements of the mechanical quantities of mass, force, pressure, and density are probably the most commonly made in everyday life.
NPL mechanical metrology underpins the work of a wide range of industries, from providing traceability for very small weights used in the pharmaceutical industry to testing bridge bearings with loads of thousands of tonnes.
Mass, Force, Pressure research
- Density is an essential parameter for the evaluation of the best uncertainty values of reference standard weights and volume standards.
- A dynamic measurement can be defined as a measurement made where the physical quantity being measured (the measurand) varies with time and where this variation may have a significant effect on the measurement result.
- At NPL, we have machines that can generate push (compression) and pull (tension) forces - these machines calibrate transducers that can then be used to make traceable force measurements.
- Hardness is an unusual physical property in that it is the result of a defined measurement procedure and not an intrinsic materials property. Hardness is measured in terms of the size of an impression made on a specimen by an indenter of a specified shape when a specified force is applied for a specified time, the indent being measured after the force has been removed.
- Mass is unique amongst the base units of the International System of Units in being defined in terms of a physical artefact.
- We offer consultancy services, including the design and manufacture of primary pressure standards for other laboratories, and an enquiry service for pressure and vacuum measurement-related issues.
Mass, Force, Pressure case studies
NPL's dimensional measurement group are leading the way in helping UK companies benefit from NPL’s wealth of expert knowledge.