The unit of mass is defined in the International System of Units (SI) as equal to the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram, a platinum-iridium cylinder kept by the International Bureau of Weights and Measure (BIPM) in Sèvres, France. This definition dates from 1901 and the International Prototype Kilogram was manufactured in the 1880’s. The unit for mass, a base SI unit, is the kilogram, symbol “kg”.
Mass as a scientific definition; the amount of matter an object contains. Mass can also be defined as the proportion between force and acceleration F=m•a (Newton’s Second Law of Motion). The terms mass and weight is often confused. Weight means the strength of the gravitational pull (acceleration) on an object; that is, how heavy the object is, measured in units of force (Newton).
The National Measurement Standard for mass is a cylinder of platinum-iridium, known as prototype No. 56 of the International Prototype Kilogram.
The Mass Laboratory Supports:
- Supply traceability to SANAS accredited calibration and testing laboratories
- Supply traceability to measurements made in trade (under pin fair trade)
- Small, medium and micro enterprisesMining sector
- Medical and health secto
- Petrochemical industry
Traceability to NMI’s in AFRIMETS
The unit of force, a derived SI unit, is the Newton, symbol N. The base SI units relevant to force are:
Force is defined as the rate of change of momentum. For an unchanging mass, this is equivalent to mass multiplied by acceleration. Thus 1 N = 1 kg•m•s-2.
The National Measurement Standards for force is a set of force transducers, seven in total that covers the range from 1kN to 6MN.
The Force Laboratory Supports:
- Supply traceability to SANAS accredited calibration and testing laboratories
- Safety in mines (i.e. tensile testing)
- Aircraft industry (i.e. SAA, Aeroflot and Angola Airlines)
- Construction and Roads (Concrete testing)
- Roads Authority (Weigh Bridges)
- Automotive and components
- Agro processing
- Manufacturing industry
