SI

T H EA M E R I C A NS O C I E T Y
United
Engineering
Center
OF
M E C H A N I C A LE N G I N E E R S
3 4 5 East 47th Street

New
York,
COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Licensed by Information Handling Services
N. Y. 1 O0 17
i A S M E SI-L 8 2
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ASME GUIDE SI - 1
. .
ASME
0rientati.on.and
Guide for Use of
SI (Metric) Units
-.
NINTH EDllTlON
March 24,1982
T H EA M E R I C A NS O C I E T Y
United
Engineering
Center
345
OF
M E C H A N I C A LE N G I N E E R S
East 47th
Street
New
York,

N, Y. 1 O 0 1 7
No part of this docment may

be reproduced in any form,
in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise,
without the prior written permissionof the publisher
/
Copyright O 1982
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
All Rights Reserved
Printed in U.S;A.
. .

BOARD ON METRICATION
J. G , Langensteh, Chairman
Kurt Wessely,secretary
W,
P. Adkins
J. T. Blackburn, Jr.
J. S, Castorina
O , J. Fisher
W. P. Gobell, Jr.
F. T, Gutmann
Carl Handen
F. R . Jackson
R. G. Jobe
J. G. Langenstein
Samuel Leland
J. B. Levy

R. J. Mann
W. G . McLean
J. W. Murdock
D. H. Pai
J. J, Pohl, Jr.
P. C. Quo
K.J. Simila
C, E. Smith
A. M. Smolen
D. H, White
C. J. Wilson
B. D. Ziels
Con tents
SECTIONS
1. Backgraund and Policy ...............................
1
2 History of the International System ......................
3
4
3 . SIBaseUnits
4 . SupplementaryUnits
5
5 . PreBxes
5
6 The Coherence of Derived Units in SI
7
7 . Rules for Use of SI Units in ASME Publications
9
8. Conversion and Rounding .............................
10
9 Dimensioning
16
10 Units Outside the International System
17
11. Units Accepted Temporarily.
18
12. Units Not to be Used in ASME Documents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
13 SI Units for ASME Use.
21
14. Introducing SI Units in ASME Publications
23
15 Introducing SI Units in Tables ..........................
24
16 Methods of Reporfing SI Equivalents for Existing Standards Under
24
Revision .......................................
.
.
.
.
.
.....................................
................................
.........................................
.....................
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....................
...........................
..............................
.................
TABLES
1 SI Base Units
5
2 . SI Unit Prefwes
6
3. Derived Units With Names
9
4 . SomeDerivedUnitsWithovtNames
9
S . Units in Use With the Inteqational System
18
6. Units Used With the International System in Specialized Fields
-18
7 Units To Be Used With the International System for a Limited Time 19
8 CGS Units with Special Names
20
9 . Other Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
10. List of SI Units for ASME Use.
21
.
.
.
.....................................
....................................
.............................
......................
.................
...
......... ................
.........................
APPENDICES
.
Appendix1 ..........................................
Appendix2
Appendix3 ..........................................
Appendix4 ..........................................
Appe4dix5
Appendix6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix7 .................................
!
Appendix8 ..........................................
Appendix9
Appendix10 .........................................
..........................................
25
26
28
29
30
..........................................
31
. . . . . . . .32
33
.......................................... 34

36
ASME Guide SI-1
ASME
Orientation and G u i d e
for Use of
S I (Metric) U n i t s
Ninth Edition
March 24, T982
SECTION l . BACKGROUND AND POLICY
The 1967 Regional Administrative Conference passed the following resolution: Form a working committee to propose and implement constructive
solutions to problems associated with conversion to the metric system.
In 1968 a Special Committee on Metric Study was established by the
Council of ASME. This committee has held a series of meetings which culminated in thefollowing Council policy:
1. 197O:TheASME
anticipates the displacement of the usage of US.
customary units by the usage of. SI* (metric) units in-many fields.
2, 1970-The ASME believes that both U.S. customary and the SI systems
of units, modules, sizes, ratings, etc., will continue in use in theforeseeable future.
31 1970-Because of the increasing international commitment 0f.U.S. engineering and U.S. industry and commerce, the ASME recognizes the
need for an accelerated growth in the capability in and between both
-systems by the mechanical engineering profession.
4. 1970-The ASMEwill encourage and assist the development of this
dial capability by specific and positive actions, including the fol. lowing:
(a) Contribute to the continuing development of the International
System, particularly to meet engineering requirements.
(b) .Develop .and disseminate data to facilitate conversion and insure
correspondence between the U.S. customary and SI.
(c) Provide and promote education in the fundamentals and application of both systems.
*International System
1
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(d) Encourage and guide theuse or inclusion of SI units as appropriate

in Codes and Standards and other ASM,Epublications.
(e)Work with ANSI to develop and implement U.S. national policies regardinginternational standardization.
5 . 1970-The ASMEwill continue to support the National Bureau of
Standards of the -Department of Commerce in its Metric Study,
pursuant to Public Law 90472.Its.membership will be kept informed
of all significant NBS actions.
6 . 1972-For the purpose of moving forward the ASME will maintain
close liaison with legislative activities concerned with increased use of
the International Metric System (SI).
7. 1973-The Society encourages the initiation of a coordinating voluntary national program of conversion to SI usage.
8. 1973-As of July 1, 1974, SI units (in addition to any other units) will
be required in ASME papers and in revised, reaffirmed and new engineering standards.
9. 1974-The ASME will cooperate fully withthe American National
Metric Council (ANMC), and other societies and agencies to minimize
duplication of effort.. .
10. 1 9 7 7 4 1 units shall be included in standards at the appropriate time as
determined by industry, government, public and society needs consistent with nationd plans for coordinating and managing development of
SI standards.
. The ASME Metric Study Committee maintains contact with the National
Bureau of Standards and various technical societiesinvolvedin the change to
SI and has developed educational material and reports to the membership.
The committee also developed sociefy positions on metric legislation. The
U.S. Metric Study Report was submitted t Congress for study and implementation in July, 1971. This report -recognizedthat ngineeringstandards
have served as a keystone in our domestic industrial development, as they
have in other industrialized nations. It notes that only a small portion of
U.S. standards are coordinated by the American National Standards Institute
Electrotechnical
(ANSI)which represents the -U;S. ontheInternational
Commission (IEC) and in the International Organization for Standards (ISO).
Many IEC and IS0 recommendations are not compatible withU.S. Standards,
The reportfurther states: If U.S. practices ar to-be reflected ininternational recommendations, active participatiob on the drafting committee
is essential. With the trend to use the International System of Units further
national standards which do not include SI units are ot likely to receive due
consideration in the development of international standards.
Since dimensional specifications in different metric countries are incompatible as frequently as those in countries using the inch unit for measurement a change-to SI dos not by itself make standards.compatible. The report continues, a few dimensional specifications based on theinch and U.S.
2
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engineering .practices are used internationally and have been incorporated in

IEC and IS0 recommendations. Likewise, there are a few specifications based
on metric units used throughout the world including the U.S. The report
states that a change in both metric and nonmetric countries is required to
achieve international standardization. A review of practices incorporated in
standards could result in new practices and standards which will conserve
raw materials, improve the quality of products and reduce costs.
ASME is a charter subscriber to the American National Met& Council and
several members of.the ASME Metric Study Committee serve or have served
on the ANMC.Board of Directors, Metric Practice Committee, and sector
committees.
SECTION 2. HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM
As our technology grew in the nineteenth century, it became apparent

there was a great need for international standardization and improvements in
the accuracy of standards for units of length ahd mass. As a result, in 1872 an
international meeting was held in France and was attended by representatives
of 26 countries including the United States. Out of this meeting-came the
international treaty, the Metric Convention, which was signed by17 countries
including the United States in 1875. The treaty:
(a) Set up-metric standards for length and mass. . (b) Established the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (abbre. viated from the French as BIPM:-PM for French Poids et mesures
meaning weights and measures).
(c) Established the General Conference of Weights and Measures (CGPM)
which meets every six years.
(d) Set up an International Committee of Weights and Measures ( O M )
which meets every two years and which implements the recommendations of the General Conference and directs the activities bf the International Bureau. The 1960 meeting of CGPM consisting then of 40
members, modernized the metric system. This revision is the International System of Units (SI)*. The expression used hereafter SI
Units, SI Prefures and supplementary units are the results of
Recommendation 1 (1960) of the CIPM. The sixth base unit.listed in
Table 1 was proposed as a Resolution by CIPM i n . 1969 andwas
adopted by the 14th CGPM in 1971,
*LeSystemeInternationaldUnit&,
Paris S (revised edition 1972).
1970, OFFILIB, 48 rueGay-Lussac,

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SECTION 3. SI BASE UNITS
The following are definitions of the seven base units:

(a) The meter* is the unit of length whichis the length. equal to
1 650 763.73 wavelengths in vacuum of the radiation corresponding
to the transition between levels 2p, and 5d5 of the krypton-86 atom.
(h conformance with SI practice the number of wavelengthsis
.
written in groups of three digits without commas.)
(b) The kilogram is the unit of mass which is equal to mass of the
international prototype kilogram, located at the-B E headquarters.
(c) The second is the unitof time which is the duration of 9 192 631 770
periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the
two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the cesium133 atom.
(d) The ampere is the unit of electric current which is that constant
current which, if maintained in two straight parallel conductors of
infinite length, of neghgible circular cross section, and placed 1 meter
apart in vacuum, would produce between these conductors a force
newton per meter of length (newton is a derived
equal to 2 X
unit).
(e). The kelvin is the unit of thermodynamic temperature which is the
fraction 1/273.16 of the. thermodynamic temperature of the triple
point of water. The SI unit of temperature is the kelvin. The Celsius
temperature (previously called Centigrade) is the commonly used
scale for temperature measurements, except for some scientific work
where the thermodynamic scale is used. A difference of one degree on
the Celsius scale equals one kelvin. Zero on the thermodynamic scale
is 273.15 kelvins below zero degreeCelsius. The degree symbol is
associated with Celsius temperature (to avoid confusion with the unit
C for coulomb) but notwith the kelvin. Thus 20C = 293 -15 K on the
thermodynamic scale but a temperature difference of 1C = 1 K.(See
Appendix 9.)
(f) The mole is the unit of amount of substance of a system which
contains as many elementary entities as there are atoms in 0.012
kilogram of carbon 12.
(g) The candela is the unit of luminous intensity in the perpendicular
direction, of a surface of 1/600 O00 square meter of a blackbody at
the temperature of freezing platinum under a pressure 101325
newtons per square meter.
The symbols for these base units are given in Table 1. Note that symbols
are never pluralized, are never written with a period, and the practice with
*Meter-This is the spellingrecommendedby the ASMEMetric Study Committee for

use in ASME publications. The alternafe spelling, metre, may be used at
the discretion of the author.

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respect to upper and lower case modes must be followed without exception.
Refer to ANSI X3.50 or IS0 2955 for proper symbols for use in limited
character sets (availability of only upper case letters or only lower case letters).
TABLE I-SI BASE UNITS
~.
Unit Name
Unit Symbol
meter
kilogram**
second
ampere
kelvin
mole
candela
Quantity
~
Length
kg
Mass
Time
Electric current
Thermodynamic temperature
Amount of substance
Luminous intensity
A
K
mol
cd
Special Publication 330, p. 6, National Bureau of Standards. (See Appendix 8.)

*In general, roman (upright typ) lower case is used for symbols of units; hwever, if
the symbols are derived from proper names, capital roman type i s used for the f i s t
letter.
**The kilogram is the only base unit with a prefix.
SECTION 4. SUPPLEMENTARY UNITS
The General Conference has not yet classified certain units of the nteinational System under either base units or derived units. These SI units are
assigned to the third class called supplementary units and may be regarded
either as base units or as derived units,
The two supplementary. units are the radian for plane angle (symbol rad)
and the steradian for solid angle.(symbol sr),
SECTION 5. PREFIXES
Decimal multiples and submultiples of the SLunits are formed by means

of the prefixes detailed in Table 2 on next page. Only one multiplying prefix
is applied at ne timeto a given unit, cg., nanometer (nm), not millimicrometer (mpm).

. 1
-

*Most commonly used.
0.01
o.ooz
&OOO001
0.000 000 001
0.000 000 000 001
o.ooqoootioooooor
0.000000000000000001
0.1
1000
100
10
1000 000
1000000000000000000
1ooo00000b000000
1000000000000
1000 000, 000
Amount
1CP
1o12
IO9
lo6
103
IO2
10
10-18
lo-1s
deci
centi
miIli
micro
nano
pica
femto
atto
exa
peta
tera
&a
mega
kilo
hecto
deka
10f8
10-l
1o-2
1o-3
IO+
IO,
1()72
Prefixes
Z-9
Submultiples
and
@dtiples
TABLE
UNIT
k
h
da
E
P
T
G.
M
Symbols
PREFIXES
One tenth. of
One hundredth of
One thousandth of
One miIli0nt.h of
One billionth of
One tciilionth of
One quadriIIionth of
One quintiIliontIi of
One billion times

One million times
One thousand times
One hundred times
Ten times
One quintillion times

One Quadrillion times
One t&on times
exa
pets
tErP
jTka
m& 5
kilo
hekt6
dtk 5
Means
Pronounciations
D
Yj
3
m
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The symbol of a prefa is considered to be combined with the unit symbol

to which it is directly attached, forming with it a new unit symbol which can
be raised to a positive QI negative power and which can be combined with
other unitsymbols to form symbols for compound units.
Examples:
1 mm3 = (IV3 m)3
1 ns-1 = ( 1 0 9 s)-1
1 mm2/s = ( l u 3m)'/s
= 109
m3
S-1
= 10'~ m2/s
When expressing a quantity by a numerical value and a specific unit, it is

desiiable inmost applications to select a multiple or submultiple of the
unit which results in a numerical value between 0.1 and 1000.
It is desirable, however, to carry the multiplesand .sub.multiples to greater
or smaller numerical values where the predominant usage is dictated by this
rule, eg., mechanical design uses: mm.
Example:
7950 mm instead of 7,950 m
Note: In text and tables, if a numerical value is less than one, a zero
shall precede the decimal point.
The use of prefmes representing 10 raised to a power which is a multiple
of 3 is especially recommended in IS0 10oO.* The useof prefixes in the
denominator of derived units should be avoided,
SECTION 6. THE COHERENCE OF DERIVED
UNITS IN SI
SI comprises the seven base units listed in Table 1 ,the two supplementary
units radian and steradim, and any number of units derived from the base
units, supplementary units, or other derived units. Certain derived units have
special names, See-Table 3,
I t is a fundamental and convenient feature of SI that the base units, supplementary units and derived units form a coherent system. Derived units are
algebraic expressions in terms of powers of the base units, and all numerical
factors are unity. In the inch-pound system, by contrast, a great many numerical factors come into play when units are derived from each other, or even
when they are compared with one another, Thedifference between coherence
and lack of coherence can be shown by comparing the units of power in the
two systems.
Appendix
*See
8.

power = work per unit of time = (kg.*m2*s-2)X
S"
=kgm2
This derivation applies. to mechanical and electrical as wellas thermal

power output or
power. The unit of power is the watt, Inmost applications,
..
input will be expressed inkilowatts or megawatts,
In the customary system, mechanical poGer is. measured in horsepower,
therm&po.wer in British Thermal Units, and electrical power in kilowatts.
These.units are related to each other by the.following: .
1hp =
33 O00 ft-lb = 500 ft-lb

min
sec
--
2545 Btu
hr
-- 42.42.Btu
= 746 watts
min
Note the lack o consistency in the unit qf time and the many numerical
factors. The unit for electrical power is the samein theinch-pound system and
in SI. The numerical relationships incorporate well-known empirical factors.
Table 3 sho.ws SI derived units with their names, symbols, and formulas,
and for each derived unit an expression in terns of base and supplementary
units. Note that every unit name is.speUed with a lower case fist letter; upper
case is to be used only at thebeginning of a sentence. The rule for capitalkation of unit symbols is as follows: if a unit is named for a person, the first
letter of the symbol. is capitalized, as in V for volt or Hz for hertz; otherwise
the unit symbol is in lower case, as in lm for lumen or lx for lux. The e i i p
tion is the symbol L for liter. This rule applies to all SI units.
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TABLE 3-DERIVED UNITS WITH NAMES
Ouantity
henry
Frequency
Frce
Energy, work
Power
Electric charge
Electric potential
Electric resistance
Electric capacitance
Magnetic flux
Pressure or stress*
Conductance
Magnetic flux density
Inductance
Luminous flux
Illuminance
Name
Symbol
Formula
hertz
newton
-joule
watt
coulomb
volt
ohm
farad
weber
pascal
siemens
tesla
HZ
11s or
S? S
m-kg*s
N*m
J/s
lumen
lUX
N
J
W
C
V
&S
WIA
VIA
S2
-
clv
Wb
ves
N/m2
A/V
Wb/m2
WblA
cd-sr
h/m2
Pa
S
T
H
lm
lx
Expression in Terms
of SI Base Units
me kg S-
m2*kg.<2
m2 ;kg S-3
A*S
m2.kg.sf3.A
akgrs-3eA-2
a-2 kgei s4 A2
.kg.f2.A
m2
m-1 kg
m-2 ,kg- .S3 .A2
kges2 *A
.kg
mz
A-2
sr cd..
m-2 cd. sr
*In cases where space does not permit writing out gagepressureor absolute pressure,such as in equations, on datatablecolumnheadings or on instrumentfaces,
recommended practice is to use the unit symbol followed by-a space, then the qualifying adjective or abbreviation in parentheses. For example: kPa (ga)and kPa (abs) are
correct expressions.
Table 4 lists some derived units without-names. Units not shown should be
derived from approved nits; e.g., the proper units for mass per unit time is
kg/s.
TABLE 4-SOME DERIVED UNITSWITHOUTNAMES
Quantity
Velocity-linear
Acceleration-linear
Density
Entropy
Thermal flux density
Unit
meter pel: second

meter per second per second
kilogram per cubic meter.
kg/m3
joule per kelvin
.
watt per square meter
Formula
mls
m/s2
J/K
w/mz
SECTION 7. RULES FOR USE OF SI UNITS IN ASME PUBLICATIONS
The kilogram is .the unit of mass. The newton is the unit of force and shall
b-e used rather than kilogram-force (which is a non-SI unit). In SI, the differ.
ence between mass and force is very clear, The term weight has been used by

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engineers and scientists to denote-the force of local gravity. Although this has
been the meaning accepted for scientific use, the term is also widely used to
denote. other closely-related forces and to denote mass.
This fact is intertwined with the past use of the same names as units of
both force and mass (cg., lbf and lbm, and kgf and kg).
Both ambiguities lead to communication difficulties, Therefore, the use
of the term weight isdiscouragedin
ASME technical communications.
Either force of gravity on! or gravity force on will be far less likely to
be misinterpreted than weight of.
Length.measurements in technical papers and publications should be expressed in millimeters or meters. Centimeters should be avoided. Other units
which may be usedwith SI units are given in Sections 10 and 11.
ASME requirements establish the use of SI units in the following manner-.
either:
As the preferred units with

other units in parentheses:
60.0 mm (2.36 in:)
170 kPa (24.7 psi)
1.60 MJ (1500 Btu)
.600 N (61 kgf,)
or:
In parentheses following quantities

in other units:
2.45 in (62.2 mm)
25 psi-(172 kPa)
1500 Btu (1.6 MJ) .
60 kgf (590 N)
.
.
. -
As the only unit without customary unit equivalents:

104.5 J
24.5 MN
When nominal sizes that are not measurements but are names of items are
used, .no conversion should be niade, e.g., %-20 UNC thread, 2 X 4 lumber.
Requirements for tabular data are presented in the appendices.
SECTION 8. CONVERSION AND ROUNDING
Conversion of .quantities between systems Qf units requires careful deter.

mination of the number of significant digits to be retained. To convert one
quart of oil to 0.946 352 9 liter of oil is, of course, nonsense because fie
intended accuracy of the values does not warrant a conversion to seven deci:
mal places. All conversions;to be logical, must be rounded based on the precision of the original quantity, either expressed by a tolerance or implied by
the nature of the quantity.
Where a value represents a maximum or minimum limit that must be
respected, the rounding must be in the direction that does not violate the
. .
.
.
original limit.
The ultimate test of a correct conversion is fidelity to the intended form,
fit, function, and interchangeability, It is not an automatic process, but requires sound engineering judgment. One or more initial zeroes are-not called
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10

A S M E SI-L 82 0759670 0083958
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significant. Zeroes at the end of it number are considered significant only

when they represent the true value more closely than one more or one less.
h any conversion take thefollowing steps:

l . Convert the values and tolerance, if there is one, by multiplyingby the
appropriate conversion facta.
2. Choose the number of significant digits to be retained in the converted
vahe. See rounding practices in par. 8-.1and 8.2.
3. Round off the converted value to the desired number ofsignificant
digitsusing the rules. in the following fable which apply to all the
par.
8.2.1,
rounding practices in par. 8.1 and 8.2, exmpt
~~~~~~
When the First Digit Dropped Ir:

~
Less than 5
1
1
The Last Diit Retained IS:
Unchanged
Mare than 5 or S followed

by other thanall-zeros
Increased by 1
5 followed only by zeros
Unchanged
even
if
Increased by 1 if odd:
8.1. Rounding of General Technical Data

The following chart based on the fust significant digits of the conversion
factor and a comparison of the original and converted. values can be used to
determine the number of signifkcant digits-to be retained in converted values
other fian drawing dimensions and temperatures.
As an example, conversion of 34 feet t a meters is as follows:
(a) From Appendix 9 the conversion factor is 0.3048 m/ft. The converted
value is 10.3632 m.
(b) The first significant digit of the conversion factor i s 3 which is
betwee; 1 and 5. Therefore, the tophalf of the chartis used.
(c) .Compare the &st significant digits of he original value and the converted value. The 1 in 10.3632 m is lessthan the 3 in 34 feet.
.
Thereforethe converted value should be rounded to one more Sig&cant digit than the original value; thus 34 feet becomes 10.4 meters.
:i
.(
,.
-1
11

Ist Significant
I s t Significant
Digit of ConDigit of Converted
vanion Factor Value
1-5
2 1st signifi-same
cant digit of
value orig.
< 1st significant digit

of
orig. value.
6 -9
Example
Round to
31 ft X 0,3048m/ft
= 9.4488m which
rounds t o 9.4
no. significant di&s
34 ft X 0.3048m/ft
one more significant digit
= 10.3632 m which
rounds to 10.4
1st signifi-same
no. significant digits
psi
cant digit of
which
valueorig.
> 1st significant digit of

which value orig.
one lesssignificant digit
25 psi X 6.895 kPa/

= 172.375kPa
rounds to 170
(The final O is not a
significant digit but
is required to give
correct magnitude)
.
10.5 yd X 0,9144
m/yd = 9.6102 m
rounds to
9.6 m
8.1.1 Rounding of Temperatures
Temperatures can be rounded to the nearest whole degree or a multiple

of whole degrees.
.
.
8.2 Rounding of Toleranced Values
There are several methods used to determine the number of significant

digits to be retained in converted.values. 'Following are three common practices.
8.2.1 Roundingtnward
This practice rounds the converted values to within the range of the original dimension and tolerance. For example, 0.880 .t. 0.003 inch is 0.877 t o
0.883 inch which equals 22,2758to 22.4282 millimeters. Two.decimal'places
in millimeters could be considered comparable to three decimal places in
inches when considering the accuracy required and the measuring equipment
that would be used in machining or inspecting this dimension. The 22.2758
to 22.4282 range would therefore round to 22.28 to 22.42. Note that the
lower limit is rounded up and the upper limit is iounded down.

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The advantage of this practice is that absolutely every part mg the

converted dimension and tolerance would also meet the inch dimension and
tolerance. The disadvantage to this practice is that folerance isalways decreased. In .this example the tolerance reduction is 0.0124 mm (0,00049
inch), approximately 8%.
8.2.2 Rounding Based on Decimal Places
This practice assumes that the number of decimal places reflects the intended precision. Millimeter dimensions are then rounded to one less place
than the inch dimension and tolerance, but no less than a certain number of
decimal places - generally two decimal places. h this case 0.880 f 0.003 inch
equals 22.3520 f 0.0762 mm, which would be 22.35 f 0.08 mm. The increase in tolerance is f 0.0038 or a total of 0.0076 mm (0.0003 inch), or
approx. 5%. 0.75 0.01 inch .equals 19.050 f 0.254 mm which would be
19.05 1?- 0.25 mm,'a decrease in total tolerance of 0.098 mm (0.00031 inch).
The practice of basing the number of decimal places in the converted value
on the number of decimal places in the original dimension presumes that the
number of decimalplaces in the original dimension reflects the intended
precision. This practice may be most suitable for conversion of millimeters
to inches where the designer is aware that the dimensions are to be converted.
When converting millimeters to inches, inches would be expressed to one
more decimal place than the millimeter dimension. Thus, whenexpressing
the width of a bracket, 150 mm could be shown and the conversion to 5.9
inches would be satisfactory. However, when showkg the internal diameter
of a ball bearing, 150.000 mm wouldbe required to get a conversion to
5.9055 inches.
8.2.3 Rounding Based on Total Tolerance
Using another practice, the number of decimal places is determined by the

size of the total tolerance applied to the dimension. The following chart may
be used:
Total Toleran
In Inches
At
L a
Least
Than
0.000 04
0.000 4
0.004
O .O4
0.0004
0.004
O .O4
Converted Value
In Millimeters
Shall be Rounded To
4 places (0.0001)
3 places (0.00 1)
2 places (0.01)
1 place (0.1)
0.880 t0.003 inch equals 22.3520 k 0.0762 mm. The total tolerance is 0.006
inch which is between 0.004 and 0.04 inch. Thus the dimension and tolerance
would be rounded to 2 decimal places, 22.35 f 0.08 mm.
13

..
0757670 0083961 5 m J
ASNE SI-1 8 2
8.3 Numerical Values in Formulas
Formulas which use letter symbols to represent physical quantities should

be valid with any units used. However, in practice, fo-rmulas.may havecoefficients which contain unit conversion factors asiwell as empirical or other
factors. Such formulas are tailored for use with specific units, and the engineer may wish to convert them so that a specific set of SI units can be used
directly. It is essential that any unit-tailored formula.beaccompanied by
clear directions for correct units to be used.
8.3.1describes a recommended method ofhandling units. 8:3.2 describes
a method of converting formulas which contain coefficients r empiricd factors which depend on the units used.
8.3.1 If a formula is in unit-independent form, units can be most simply
determined as numerical values are substituted.
Example: The .powerwhich -can besafely transmitted by a rotating,
round shaft is given by
.
pz A 7D3
W
16- . .
in which
.
is the allowable shear stress .

D is the diameter of the shaft
o is,the aigular speed of the shaft
For the values

T = 6000 lbf/in2 = 41.4MPa = 41.4X
D = 1.00 in = 0.0254 m
. W = ,1000rev/min = 104.7 rad/s
the substitution iscarried out as follows:
=.
P =
lo6 N/m2
n (6000 lbf/in2) (1 ,O0in)j (1000 revlmin) (2n rad/rev)

= 18.7HP
16 (12 in/ft)(33 O00 fGlbf/min HF)
n
-(41.4X lo6 N/m)
16
= 13 900 N m/s
= 13.9 kW
(0,0254m)3 (104.7rad/s)
The results agreesince 18.7 HP
0.7457 kW:
HP
)=.13.9kW, properly rounded.
A check of the units should-be made by algebraic cancelling; prior to

carrying out bf the multiplication and/or division.
If the formula is to .be used repeatedly to give horsepower in terms of
diameter in inches and angular speed in rev/min, with a shear stress of 6000
14

ALflE
SI-L 8 2
O759670 0083962 7
~~
~~
~~
~~~
!
~.~~
psi, it may be unit-tailored by incorporating the appropriate conversion

factors with the n/16 and 6000 psi as follows:
n (6000 16f/in2) (277 rad/rev)D3 o

16 (12 in/ft) (33 O 0 0 ft lbf/min HP)
- D3 o
P=
53.5 in3 rpm/HP

It is sound practice to write the units of the factor 53.5; thus when values
such as D = 1.00 in and o = 1000 rpm are substituted,
P =
(1 .O0 in)3 (1000 rpm)

= 18.7 HP
53.5 i n 3 rpm/W
all units except
HP cancel properly upon multiplication and-division.
8.3.2 A formula may have the general form

B*
A = K-
where K is a constant which may contain a unit conversion factor as well as

other factors, and A, B, and C represenf variables measured in U.S. customary
units. If the conversion factors for these variables are a, b, c, then K, (the
corresponding factor for the converted formula) can be obtained from
Eq.2
Example: The power which can be safely transmitted by a rotating, round

shaft is given as
where the following units will be used in theconversion of the formula:

customary
P
D
rad[s
iir
rPm
SI
-
kW
mm

where p' = 0.7457 kW
HP
d-=-25.4 mm
in
so that
= 8.12 X 1C6
to prove, calculate in both systems:
D.= l i n
n. = 1000 rpm
= 25.4mm
n = 104.7rad/s
h customary system:.
In SI:
P = b 1 2X
kW/(mm3 rad/s)J (25.4 ml3(104.7 rad/s) = 13.9 kW
Proof:
(18.7 HP)(0.7457 kW/HP) = 13*9kW
SECTION 9. DIMENSIONING
There are strict rules about dimensioning but fortunately they are very
simple.
l . In general, product engineering drawings are dimensioned in millimeters
or decinial parts of a millimeter except for surface roughness which is
expressed in micrometers.

A S I E SI-L 8 2 m 0757670 0083764 O m

2. on drawings where very large. item.Gir6Tpictd S&as constrctioon
and, architectural, dimension-in. meters- and decimal parts of a meter
using threeor more decimalplaces, e.g., 32 meters 40-millimeters
would be 321040-mOE 3-2.040(see rule 3).
3. If the drawing. isdimensioned dl in millimeters or meters,. this should
be indicated in note form applicable to alL references.
4.D not use centimeters on drawings
5 . The size of a. mjllimeter should be kept in mind.
1 min = 1/25.4in N 0:039-370in, about 40-thousandths.
0.1mm-0.004 in
0.01 m-.0.0004 in
Dimensioning to more than. two decimal places in millimeters will be a n
uncommon occurrence.
6. Always leave a space between:.the number and symbol:
L71 mm not 1.71 mm.
7. When using fiveor morefigures in tables and-text, space these as 10OQO
or 100 000. Do not use commas. The space should. also be used with
quantities of four figures when coIumnized-with quantitieshaving five
or more.
8. Dimensional practice for drawings is governed by ANSI Y14.5,Dimensioning and-Tolerancing, published b y ASME.*
9..The use of tables is recommended where conversion of drawings is necessary, with dimensions arranged in ascending order of magnitude and
other parameters listed in the same manner but in separate columns.
These tables may be placed on sparate sheets and may be generated as
computer prinouts.
SECTION IO. UNITS OUTSIDE THE INTERNATIONAL
SYSTEM
Units Used with the Infernational System
Certain units which are not part of SI are in widespread use. These units
play such an important part that they must be retained for general use with
the InternationaI System of Units. They are given in Table 5, It should be
recognized that these units need not be supplemented by the equivalent SI
units unless desired for clarity.
*See Appendix 8.
17

~-
ASME
SI-& 8 2
0 7 5 9 6 7 0 0083965 2
. .~._
~~~
..
TABLE 5 - U N I T S S W I T H THE INTERNATIONALSYSTEM
Value in SI Unit
Name
Symbol
minute
min
hour
h
d
day
O
degree
I
minute
Ir .
second
liter
L*
metric ton
t
1 min=60s
lh=60min=3600s
ld=24h=86400s
1 = (?r/180) rad
1 = (1/60) = (n/lo 800) rad
1 = (1/60) = (.rr/648 000) rad
1 L = 1 dm3 = IO m3
1 t = lo3 kg= 1 Mg
*Liter-This is the spelling reeommended by the ASME Metric Study Committee for use
in ASME publication. The alternate spelling, Litre,may be used at the discretion of
the author.
The international symbol for lifer is the lower case l, which can easily be
confused with the numeral 1. Accordingly, the symbol L is recommended for United States use.
It is likewisenecessary to recognize, outside the International System,
some other units which are useful in specialized fields of scientific research,
because their values expressed in SI units must be obtained by experiment,
and are therefore not known exactly (Table 6).
TABLE 6-UNITS USED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM
IN SPECIALtZED FIELDS2
Name
electronvolt
unified atomic mass unit
astronomical unit
parsec
Symbol
Magnitude
eV
1.602 19-X 10 J
1,660 53.X lu2kg
149 600 X IO6m
30 857 X lo2 m
AU
PC
Special Publication 330, p. 14-National Bureau of Standards. (See Appendix 8.)
SECTION .11. UNITS ACCEPTED TEMPORARILY
In view of existing practice, the CD (1969) considered it was preerable

to keep for the time being, for use with those of the International- System,
the unitslisted in Fable 3.

ASME SI-L 8 2
W 0757670 0083966 4 W
TABLE 7-UNITS T BE USED W I T H TH INTERNTINL-SYSTEM

FOR A LIMITED TIME
Name
nautical mile
knot
ngstrom
are
hectare
barda)
standard atmosphere
gal@)
curie(4
rntgedd)
rad@
bar
Value in SI Units
Symbol
A
a
ha
b
atm
Gal
Ci
R
rad
bar
1 nautical mile = 852 m

1 nautical mile per hour = (1852/3600)m/s
1A =0.1 nm = 1o"O m
la=ldam2=102m2
1 ha = 1-hm2= lo4 m2
m2
1 b = 100 fm2 = lo2 X 10" m2 =
1 atm = 101 325 Pa
1 Gal = 1 cm/s2 = lo-' m/s2
1 ci = 3.7 x 1o'O '"S
1 R = 2.58 X lo4 C/kg
J/kg
1 rad =
1 bar = 0.1 MPa = 10' Pa
(a) The barn is a special unit employed in nuclear physics to express effective cross sections.
(b) The gal is a special unit employed in geodesy and geophysics to express the acceleration
due togravity.
(C) T h e curie is a special unit employed in nuclear physicsto express activity of radionuclides
[ 12th CGPM (1964) Resolution 71.
(dl The rntgen is a special unitemployalto express exposure ofX or 7 radiations.
(e) The rad is a special unit-employedto express absorbed dose of ionizing radiations.
When
there is risk of confusion with the symbol for radian, rd may be used as symbolfor rad.
SECTION 12.. UNITS NOT TO BE USED I N ASME DOCUMENTS
12.1 CGS. Units with SpecialNames. Such units are listed in Table 8, on
next page. The CIPM discourages the use of-CGS*units which have special names.
12.2 Other Units Generally Deprecated
As regards units outside the-International System which do not come under

Section 10, the CIPM considers thatit is generally preferable to avoid them, and
to use instead units of the International System. Some of those units are listed
in Table 9.
"
*CCS refers to the centimeter-gram-second system which has been superseded

by the SI.
19

/ A S I E S I - l ~ 82
0759b70 00839b7 b
=I
TKEKEB-CGS~ITS WITH SPECIAL NAMES

(Not to be used in ASME publications)
Value
Symbol
Name
in SI Units
poise
stokes
gauss
St
Gs, G
oersted
Oe
1 erg x
J
1 dyn = 10 N
1 P = 1 dyn*s/cm2= 0.1 Pa+s
1 S t = 1 cm2/s = 1 0 - ~m2/s
1 Gs Corresponds to
T
1000
1 Oe corresponds to -A/m
maxwell
stilb
phot
Mx
sb
Ph
1 Mx corresponds to
Wb
1 stilb = 1 cd/cm2 = lo4 cd/m2
1 ph lo4 lx
erg
dyne
erg
dY n
?m
3SpecialPublication 330, p. 16, National Bureau of Standards, (See Appendix 8.)
TABLE 9-OTHER UNITS4

(Mot to be used in ASME publications)
Name
Value in SI Units
fermi
metric carat
torr
kilogram-force (kgf)
calorie (cal)
micron (P)
X unit
stere (st)
gamma (Y)
gamma (Y)
lambda (X)
1 fermi 1 fm = 10-l~m
1 metric carat = 200 mg = 2 X lo4 kg
1 torr = 133.322 Pa
1 kgf = 9.806 65 N
1 cal = 4.1868 J
~ p 1 =p m = lod m
1 X unit . = - I,002X 10-4 mm approximately
I st= I m3
\
1 7 = 1 nT =
T
1 7 = 1 pg =
kg
1 h = 11.11= 1 0 y 6 I
.
4SpecialPublication 330, p. 17, National Bureau of Standards. (See Appendix 8.).
20

: A S M E SI-L 8 2 W O759670 0083968 8 M

. SECTION 13. SI UNITS FOR ASME USE
Quantity
w e e a n d Time .
radian angle
an
angle
square
TABLE 10-LIST OF SI UNITS FOR ASME USE

Other Units or
Unit*
Symbol
Limitations
r
plane
solid
length
...
SI
area
volume
cubic
meter
ma
m
time
second
angular velocity
velocity
radian-per
second
rad/s
meter
per
second
m/s
nautical mile (navigation

only)
...
.
liter (L) for fluids o-dy

(Limit useto L and mL)
(cc shall not beused)
minute (min),hour (h), day

Cd), week, and year
...
kilometer per hour (km/h)
for vehicle speed, knot for
navigation only
Periodic and Related Phenomena
frequency
rotational speed
hertz
radian per second
Hz
rad/s
rev.
second
per
Mechanics
mass
density
kg.m/s
econd
kilogram
kilogram
per
cubic
kg/m3
meter
...
kg
...
per
kilogram-meter
momentum
per
second
moment of momentum kilogram-squaremeterkg.ma /S
per second
angular
momentum
kilogram-square
meter
kg.ml /S
per second
meter
acceleration
squared
moment
inertia
of kilogram-squai.e
mefer
kg.mz
N
newton
force
moment of force
newton-meter
Nem
(torque) .
and
pressure
stress
pascal
Pa
(dynamic)
pascal-second
viscosity
viscosity
(kinematic)
square
meter
per
mz
(hertz = cycle per second)

(r/s)
rev. per minute(r/min )
Pass
/S
...
...
...
I
...
,..
...
@ascal=newton
squareper
meter)
...
s . .
second
*Conversion factors between SI units and U.S. customary units are given in ASTM E380.
(ANSI 2210.1). (See also Appendix9.)
21
i A S M E SI-& 82 E 0 7 5 9 b 7 0 00839b9 T W
~-
"""I
"
..
TABLE 10-LIST OF St UNITS FOR ASME USE (Cont'd)
Unit
Quantity
Symbol.
Other Unitsor
Limitations
M a n i c s (Cont'd)
work
strength
surface tension
energy,
power
impact
N/m.
J
W
J
newton
meter
per
joule
.
joule
...
..
kilowatt-hour (kWah)
...
.
Hsat
temperature-thermo.** kelvin
temperature-other than
thermodynamic**
degree Celsius
meter per meter1in.expansion coeff.
kelvin
quantity of heat
joule
heat flow rate
watt.
density of heat flow
watt per meter squared
rate
thermal conductivity
watt per meter-kelvin
coeff. of heat transfer watt per metersquared-kelvin
heat capacity
joule per kelvin
specific heat capacity
joule per kilogramkelvin
specific energy
joule per kilogram
specific enthatpy
kilojoule per kilogram
specific entropykilojoule per kelvinkilogram
heat rate
kifojoule per kilowatt
second
degree Celsius ("C)

'kelvin (K)
oc-1
ml(mvK)
.*.
...
e
W/(m*"C)
W /(mz C)
bo
JPC
J/Org."C)
f..
...
.. *
...
Electricity and Magnetism
electric current
electric charge
vo1.density of charge
ampere
coulomb
coutomb per meter
cubed
sur. density of chargecoulombpermeter
squared
electric field strength
volt per meter
volt
electric potential
farad
capacitance
current density
ampere per meter
squared
mag.field
strength
ampere
meter
per
density mag.flux
teslamagnetic flux
weber
henry
self-inductance
permeability
henry
per meter
magnetizationmeter per ampere
...
.
.* .
I
.. .
...
,
Alm
T
Wb
H
Hlm
A/m
.,.
...
C
. .
a.
*Conversion fact0r.s betweenSI units and V.S. customary are given in ASTM E380.
(ANSI Z2lO.l).
**Preferred use for temperatureand temperature intervalis degrees Celsius CC), except for
thermodynamic a i d cryogenic work where kelvins may be more suitable.
For temperature interval, 1 K = 1C exactly.
22

'
ASME SI-1 82
m O759670 0083970 b
'
TABLE 10-LIST OF S! UNITS FOR ASME USE (Cont'd)

Other
Units
or
Quantity
Unit
Limitations
Symbol
'
Electricity and Magnetism (Cont'd)
resistance, impedance
conductance
resistivity
conductivity
reIuctance
ohm
siemens
Qhm-metes
siemens
per
meter
S/m
ampere
per
weber
n*m
lumen
lux
lm
lx
S
R'
Light
meter-
per
cdluminous
candela
intensity
luminous flux
illumination
candela
luminance
...
...
...
e
...
squared
*Conversion factors betweenSI units and U.S.customary units are given in ASTM E380.
(ANSI 2210.1).
SECTION 14, INTRODUCING SI UNtTS IN ASME PUBLICATIONS
-14.1 It is the policy of ASME that SI units of measurement should be included in all new papers, publications and revisions ofASME standards.
14.2 Each ASME committee shall havethe optionof giving preference to .U.$.
customary or SI units.
14.2.1 When preference isgiven tos1 units,the US. customary units may
be omitted or given in parentheses.
14.2.2 When U.S. customary units are given preference, the SI equivalent
shall be given in parentheses, or irl ampplementary table as described in Section
15,
14.3 The system of units to be used in referee decisions shall be stated in a
note in each standard. For example, the note should read as follows when.U.S.
customary units are to beused:
Note: The values stated.in US. customary units are to be regarded as the
standard.
14.4 The calculated SI equivalent for a U.S. customary value shduld be.
rounded to the proper number of significant figures as described herein and in
ANSI 2210.1. No attempt should be made to change to .different values which
are used. or may be adopted by other countries, except as covered in 1415 beiow.
14.5 In standards that have alternative or optional .procedures based on instruments calibrated in either U.S. customary or SI units, converted values need
not be included. If the optional procedures or dimensions produce equally ?cceptable results, the options may be shown similarly to conversions using the
word "or" rather than parentheses; for example, in a 2-in gage length metal
tension test specimen, the gage length may be shown as "2 in or SO mm".
. *
23

I A S M E SI-1 8 2
I-
..
0759b70 0083973 8 W
~
~~
~~
~~~~~
~~~
i
L
14.6 A specific equivalent, foi example, 25 mm (1 .O in), need be inserted

only thefirst time it occurs ineach paragraph of a standard.
14.7 Conventions for use of SI and U.S. customary units may differ. The
equivalent expression should always be consistent wththe units used, For e x .
pitch (which is
ample, liters per 100 kilometers YS milesper gallon (mpg),
the crest-tohcrest distancebetweentwo successive threads)vs threads per inch (tpi).
14.8 For methodsof including SI equivalents in .tables, seeSection 15.
14.9 On simple illustrations the SI equivalents may be includedin parentheses.
On more complicated illustrations the dimensions are"preferab1y indicated by
letters and the corresponding SI units and U.S. customary shownin an accompany.
ing table. In the case of charts or graphs, dual scales may be used to advantage.
14.10 The need for SI equivalents can be avoided for tolerances if they are
.
expressed in percent.
SECTION 15. INTRODUCING SI UNITS IN TABLES
15.1 Case 1, Limited TabularMaterial. Provide SI equivalents in tables in

parentheses or in separate columns. Example is givenin Appendix 1.
15.2 Case 2, One or f i o Large Tables. When the size of a table and limitations of space (on the printed page) make it impractical to expand the table to
include SI equivalents, the table should be duplicatedin US.customary units and
SI units. Example is given in Appendix 2, If this procedure results in increasing
the size of the standard signifcantly, it may be desirable to appb Case 3.
15.3 Case 3, Extensive TabularMaterial. Prepare.a summary appendix listing
all of the units that appear in the various tables, as shown in Appendix 3; or
consider the use of footnotes, as shown in Appendix4.
SECTION 16. METHODS OF REPORTING SI EQUIVALENTS FOR
.
EXISTING STANDARDS UNDER
REVlSlON
16.1 For text material in draft preparation, show the SI equivalent in the
margin.
16.2 .For tables insert the SI equivalents when there is sufficient space s
illustrated. Example given. in Appendix 5.
16.3 For tables where space does not permit the SI equivalents to be written
in, retype the table.
'16.4 Fof new illustrations it is preferable to indicate the dimensions with
letters while tabulating both inch and 'SI values; Example given in Appendix 6 .
16.5 For existing illustrations a tabulation of SI eguivalents of customary
units appearing in that illustration may be inserted beneath the illustration, Example given in Appendix 7.
24

P
L
I
DIA OF UNTHREADED
PORTION OF SHAFT
SHALL NOT EXCEED
NOMINAL THREAD DIA
Example for Case 1
STRAIGHT WHEEL GRINDERS
3/8-24 UNF-2A .
1/2-13 UNG2A
5C8-11 UNG2A
5/8-11 UNG2A .
3/4-10 UNC-2A
L-ln. (mm)
1-1/8
1-3/4
2-118
3-1/8
3-1/4
(28.6)
(44.4)
(54.0)
(79.4)
(82.6)
R
.
Governed by
thickness of .
used
wheel
.
Example for Case I-Alternate Method

STRAIGHT WHEEL GRINDERS
L-mm
L-ln,
~~
3/8-% UNF-2A
1/2- 13UNC-BA
5/8-11 UNC-2A
5/8-11UNCZA
3/410 UNC-2A
1-1/8
1-3/4
2-118
3-1/8
34/4
28.6
a.4
54.0
79.4
82.6
25

Governed by
thickness of
used
wheel
Example for Case 2
Pin piameter
Inside Diameter of Barrel

h i d e Width for Sprocket Contact
Chain Height
A
B
H
J
L
P
T
T
--
Pin Head to Centerline
basic cslcu1ations.J
Straight before bend -barrel end
Barrel Outride Diameter
- Pin Head to Centerline

- Riveted Head to Centerline
- Chain Pitch (This is a Theor. Ref, Dimen, Used for
- Straight before bend -pin end

Sidebar end Clearance Radius - pin end
- Sidebar end Charance Radius -barrel end
- Width of link at Barrel end extending to a point on the
V
V'
pitch lineT inches from the centerllne as shown,

Width betweenSidebarsat
Pin End extending .to a
point on the pitch line T' inchesfrom the centerline i r
shQwn
26

APPENDIX~Z(bnt'd)
Example for Caw 2 (Cont'd)
GENERAL CHAIN DIMENSIONS, PROOF TEST LOAD, STRAND LENGTH,AND
MEASURING LOAD FOR CHECKING GHAIN LENGTHS
Dimrclti6ns in Inches
_
Chain No.
1.25
1.19
0.75
F
0.12
H
1.12
0.88
~~
~~
~~~~
H75H74H60
1.00
0.88
~~
P
A
1.56
1.44
H78
..
H82
.. . . ..
2.308
3.075
2.609
2.609
2.609
0.3120.3120.375
0.73
0.75
Hl 24
4.000
0.5000.7500,562
Roof test load (lb)

clas M
2800
4 O00
12000
8000
6400
.2800
class P
3500
5 O00 10000
8000
3500
No. of pitches per nominal 120 h.strand
52
46
46
46
Theoreticaliengthof nominal
120
strand
in.
.120.02 120.01 120.01
120.01
119.92
Measuring load (lb) . .
190
270
190
430..
~~
~~
15 O00
39
30
120.00
810
540
. .
.~
Chain NO.
h60
H74.
H75
H78
H02
H124
P
A
58.62
7.92
18.5
19.0
66.27
9.52
25.1
22,4
66.27
7.93
19.0
18.3
66.27
12.70
28.4
22.4
78.10
14.27
31.8
30.2
101.60
19.05
F
H
39.6
36.6
Roof test load (kilonewtons)

53.4
66.7
35.6 clads
28.5
M
44.5 a
s
s
35.6P
12'5
15.6
17.8
22.2
12.5
15.6
No. of pitches per nominal

strand
46 5246
46
3048 mm
Theoreticallebgth of nominal
3048 mm
strand
3 048.5 3 048.3 3 048.3 3 048.3
Measuring load (newtons) 850
1 200
850
1 910
. ,
27
39
30
3 046.0
2400
3 048.0
3 600
.
~,
I A S M E SI-L 8 2 W O757670 0083775 5 W

-
___.__-
"~
APPENDIX 3
Example for Case 3-Listing of All Units Appearingin a Document
-RELIEF HOLE
DIA
mm
FLUID PRESSURES
in.
3.2
4
. 5.8
0.126
0,157
.0.228
- 8
9.5
12
0.312
0.374
0.472
14.75
17.5
20.5
0,581
0.689
0.807
23.75
27
0.935
1.063
~~
mm
0.010
kPay
. I
psi
105
210
415
30.5
60.2
97.2
304
1000
*Absolute or gage,.as
appropriate. .
in, Hg
60" F
1.5
. 3
. .
-7
10.4
14.8
MPa
..
14
700
41
70
100
205
415
200 97 670
5 900
10 2d0
500
29
200
60

..
O .44
0.9
2.1
3,o
10
35
50
kPa
1 500
3 O00
.
~
'
6.7
20
,602.
kPa
STRESS
10
152
4150
.6900
0.25
970
15.2
670
1050
2100
TOLERANCE
in.
lin. HzO
.W0F
. .
O .4
0.1
O .5
1 .2
2.5
5
.
"'
2.o
4.8
. 6.2
20
ASME SI-1 8 2
~~
m 0757670 0083776
~~
7
-~
~~~
APPENDIX 4
Example for Case 3-Use of Footnotes
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS OF WELDED AND SEAMLESS STEEL PIPE
Size
Nominal
(in.)(in.)(in.)
Identification
Plain
WalI Standard
End
O.D.X-strong(XS)
Sched.
API
Thickness
Weight
(Ib/ft)**
0.083
2.47
0.188
0.203
0.216
0.2505LX
5.40
5.79
6.13
7.01
2-112
0.375
3-1/2
5L 5LX
5L
5LX
5L
5LX
5L 5LX
5LX
5LX
5LX
STD
5L 5LX
5LX
5L .5LX
xs
5L 5LX
xxs
"1 in. = 25.4 nun
29
80
160
5L 5LX
5L 5LX
5L 5LX
5L
5LX
5L
5LX
5LX
5L 5LX
5LX
5LX 5L
0.172
5LX
7.03
0.188
5LX 5L 7.65
0.226 5L9.11
5LX
0.250
10.01 5LX 5L
0.281
11.16
5L 5LX
0.318
12.50
s i 5LX
**c1 lb/ft = 1.49 kg/m
N6.
40
6.65
5L. 5Lx7.58 - .
5L 5LX
8.68
5L
5LX
5L
5LX
9.66
10.25 5LX 5L
14.32
18.58
5LX5L
0.083
5LX 5L 3.47
0.109
5LX
4.53
0.125
5.17
0.141
5.81
0.156
6.40
[4.000]
Standard
XX-strong(XXS)
10.01
0.083
3.03
0.109
3.95
0.125
4.51
0.141
5.06
0.156 ~. 5.57
0.188
0.216
0.250
0.281
0.300
0.438
0.600
(STD)
STD
40
xs
xxs
80
160
STD
40
xs
80
-.
Classification
No.
.
10 x 20
10x24
Plant Equipment
Code
3415-13
"r
i
LIGHTDUTY
CONSTRUCTION-DESIGNED l'O USE A? LEAST 1% HP (1'1 kW)

A T THE WHEEL
Description
I
A-Swingwork clearance diameter(h)

B-Distance between centers (min)
C-Grinding wheel diameter and width(min)
D-Grinding wheel hole size
E-Headstock and footstock center taper
F-Distance E to bottom of machine (recommended)
G-Grinding wheel spindle drive motor (min)
H-Wheel head swivel (min)
30

10 in
(254 mm)
20 - 24 in (508 - 610 mm)
10 X 1 in
(254 X 25.4 mm)
(See Note 2)
Jamo
42 in
1%HP
90"R & L
(1070 mm)
(1.1 kW)
APPENDIX 6
SPINDLE FQR GEARED CHUCK
THREADED CHUCKS
..
Min
. A
Dia
Nominal
MaxThread and
Min
318 0.385
Q.380
24
112 - 20
518 - 16
314 - 16
.
.. , ..
0.5lD
0.635
0.760
.,
0.503
-0,629
0.754
.
~. . . .
..
B
Min
.
~~
INCH
.~
..
0,115
0.1 15.
0.146 .
0,146
D*
Nom
C
.
. -
19/32
518
19/32
718
25/32
13/16
. -
1-118
1-114
.
*Reference Manufacturer's Practice.
MILLIMETER
Dia Nominal
81
Thread (Inch)
318 - 24
112 20
518 - 16
314 - 16
A
Min
Max Min Min
9.78
12,9
16.1
19.3
9.65
12.8
16.0
19.2
D*
Nom
2.92
2.92
3.71
3.71
15.1
15-1
19.8
20.6
15.8
22.2
28.6
31.8
*Reference Manufacturer's Practice.
31
APPENDIX 7
BRACKET SPACING IN FEET
MAXIMUM WEIGHT OF CAR WITH RATED LOAD OR OF COUNTERWEIGHT

WITH SAFETY FOR A PAIR OF GUIDE RAILS
1 lb = 0.454 kg
1 ft = 304.8 m m

IS0 (Order from ANSI)

R 370 Conversion of Toleranced Dimensions from Inches into Millimeters
and Vice Versa.
International
System
of Units.
1000 Rules for
the
Use of Units of the
ASTM-American Society of Testing
Pa. 19103.
Materials, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia,
Instructions to ASTM Technical Cmmittees on Metric Conversion, Prepared

by.ASTM Special Committee on'Metric Practice as an Adjunct to Metric
.
Practice Guide
E380.
B380-Metric Practice Guide
U.S. Department of Commerce
NBS SP 330 The International System of nits (SD Cat. No.C13,10:330/4).
Order from:Superintendent ofDocuments, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C.20402. (Order by SD CatalogNo, C13.10:330/4.)
-Stock Number 003-003-01784-1)
. .
ANSI-American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, N.Y.

10018.
2210.1-metric practice Guide'(same as ASTM E380).

SAE-Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, Pennsylvania 15086.
Rules for the Use of SI @let&) Units in SAE Reports.
ASME-The -AmericanSocietyofMechanicalEngineers
United-Engineering Center, 345 East 4-7th Street,
New York, N.Y. 10017
Y14.5-1973Dimensioning
and Tolerancing
-3-3
APPENPIX 9
Commonly Used Conversion Factors (far others, see ASTM-380)

..
Cqnversion
.,
Plane angle
Length
Area
Volume
~~
Quantity
..
in to m
ft to m
mile to m
2.54*
E-O2
E-O1
3.048*
1.609 344*E+03
in?
to-m2
fta to mz
6.451 600*E-04
9.290 3WE-02
ft3 to m3
2,831
3.785
1.638
2,957
1,000
toms
oz(fluid, US) to m3
liter to m3
...
1.745 329 E-O2
in3
m/s
..
Factor
degree to rad
. .
US gallon to m3
Velocity
ft/min to
ft/sec to m/s
kmlh to mls
mile/h fo m/s
. mile/htokm/h
685
412
706
359
B-02
E-O3
E-O5
E-O5
O00 E-03
5.08*
E-O3
3,048*
E-O1
2.777 178 E-O1
4.470 4* E-01
- 1,609 344*E+00
Mass
oz (avoir)to kg
Ib(avoir) to kg
slug to kg
2.834 952 .E-02

4.535 924 E-01
1.459 390 E+01
Accderation
ft/sa to m/sZ
std. grav.
m/sa
3,048*
E-O1
9.806.65' E+OO
Force
9.806 65* E + O Q
4.448 222 E+00
1.382 550 B-01
kgf tQ N
Ibf to N
poundal to N
9.8M 65* R+OO

1,129 848 E-O1
1.355 818 E+OO
kgf-m to Nem
Ibf-in ta Nsm
Ibf-ft to Nom
Bending, Torque
l ' l e factors are written a s a number greater than'oneand lessthan ten with six or
less decimal places, The number i s followed by .the lettr E (fQr exponent), a plus of
minus symbol, and twodigitswhich hdicate topower of 10 by which the number musf
be multiplied to obtain the correct value.
For example
1.745 329 E 02 is 1.745 329 X
lo-'
or 04017 43329
*Relationships that are exact in terms of the base units,
34
ASME SI-L 8 2
m 0759670 0083982 2
APPENDIX 9 (Cdnt'dl
Commonly Used Conversion Factors (for others, see ASTM E-380)

.
Quantity
. . .
~~
Pressure, sttess
Energy, work
kgf/mz to Pa
poundal/ft2
to
Pa
Ibf/ft' to Pa
Ihf/inz fo Pa
Btu(1T) to J
Calorie(1T) to J
ft lbf to J
hp(550 ft Ibf/s) to W
Power
.,
. "
..
Factor
.
9;806 65* E*OO

164
1.488
E+OO
4.188
026
E+01
6.894 I51 E+03
1.055 (156 E+03
4.186 8* E+OO
1.355818 E+OO
7.456
E+02
999
Temperature*
Temperature
ihterval
~,
*O
"C to K
"FtoKOt'C
~.
E+OO
1.0*
5.555 556 E-O1

,
~I
..
F should be converted to "C. Abalute temperatures should be converted to K.

~.

11
2wcr-lMo
...
C-Si
P.
NO.
Nominal
Composition
Group
NO.
Forg.
Plate
Plate
Product
Form
SA-336
(141
(271
(4) 113) 127)
Notes
493
262
517
380
Min.
Tensile
MPa
201
Sp.%
Min.
YieldMPa
310
10
120
120
95
-30~1
325
120
120
95
350
1g
111
91
375
120
96
80
400
67
112
120
57
450
81
70
425
FOR
101
50
45
475
,,
84
36
_._
500
56
22
_..
525
48
. .
50
35
..,
. ..
575
For Metal Temperatures Not Exceeding%
ALLOWABLE
STRESS
VALUES
IN TENSION
ALLOY
STEELIN
M.EGAPASCALSMPa
Spec.
TABLE
FOR MAXIMUM
CARBON
AND LOW
F22
NOrlIt.
and temp.
70
SA-285
SA-515
Grade
Spec.
NO.
SAMPLE
APPENDIX
625
is
1..
16
...
. . . *...
600
. ..
.,.
. ..
650
SA.336
SA515
SA-285
Spec.
NO.
FZZ
NOUll.
and temp.
70
,C
Grade :
SI-I ASME Orientationand Guide for Use of SI (Metric) UnitsNinth Edition

Book No. E00058
SI-2 ASME Text Booklet - SI Units in Strength of Materials
Second Edition
Book No. E00082
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Book No. E00083
- SI Units in Dynamics
SI4 ASME Text Booklet - SI Units in Thermodynamics

Book No. E00084
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- SI Units in Fluid Mechanics
SI-6 ASME Text Booklet - SI Units in Kinematics

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Standards SI (Metric) Units
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T H EA M E R I C A NS O C I E T Y

3 4 5 East 47th Street

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Guide for Use of

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

No part of this docment may

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME Guide SI-1

SECTION l . BACKGROUND AND POLICY

(d) Encourage and guide theuse or inclusion of SI units as appropriate

engineering .practices are used internationally and have been incorporated in

SECTION 2. HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM

As our technology grew in the nineteenth century, it became apparent

1970, OFFILIB, 48 rueGay-Lussac,

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

SECTION 3. SI BASE UNITS

The following are definitions of the seven base units:

*Meter-This is the spellingrecommendedby the ASMEMetric Study Committee for

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Special Publication 330, p. 6, National Bureau of Standards. (See Appendix 8.)

SECTION 4. SUPPLEMENTARY UNITS

Decimal multiples and submultiples of the SLunits are formed by means

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

*Most commonly used.

One billion times

One quintillion times

The symbol of a prefa is considered to be combined with the unit symbol

When expressing a quantity by a numerical value and a specific unit, it is

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

power = work per unit of time = (kg.*m2*s-2)X

This derivation applies. to mechanical and electrical as wellas thermal

33 O00 ft-lb = 500 ft-lb

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

TABLE 3-DERIVED UNITS WITH NAMES

meter pel: second

SECTION 7. RULES FOR USE OF SI UNITS IN ASME PUBLICATIONS

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

As the preferred units with

In parentheses following quantities

As the only unit without customary unit equivalents:

Conversion of .quantities between systems Qf units requires careful deter.

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

A S M E SI-L 82 0759670 0083958

significant. Zeroes at the end of it number are considered significant only

h any conversion take thefollowing steps:

When the First Digit Dropped Ir:

The Last Diit Retained IS:

Mare than 5 or S followed

5 followed only by zeros

8.1. Rounding of General Technical Data

COPYRIGHT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

< 1st significant digit

no. significant di&s

one more significant digit

> 1st significant digit of

one lesssignificant digit

25 psi X 6.895 kPa/

power = work per unit of time = (kg.m2s-2)X