METRICATION

GUIDELINES
FOR
ASME CODES
FOR PRESSURE
PIPING B31
 Table of Contents
Page
Topic
1. Introduction 3
2. Policy on Use of SI Units 3
3. Guidelines for Developing SI Equivalents 3
4 The International System of Units (SI) 4
Table 1 - SI Prefixes 4
4.1 Base SI Units 4
Table 2 - SI Base Units 5
4.2 Derived SI Units 5
Table 3 - Examples of SI Derived Units 5
4.3 Units of Temperature 5
Table 4 – Temperature Reference Points 5
5. Units Conversion Factors 6
5.1 Conversion Factors for Commonly Used Units for Piping 6
Table 5 - Conversion factors - Frequently Used USCS Units to SI Units 7,8
Table 6 - Conversion Factors – Mass Equivalents 9
Table 7 - Conversion Factors – Length Equivalents 10
Table 8 - Conversion Factors – Area Equivalents 11
Table 9 - Conversion Factors – Volume Equivalents 12
Table 10 - Conversion Factors - Flow Rate Equivalents 13
Table 11 - Conversion Factors – Density Equivalents 14
Table 12 - Conversion Factors – Pressure Equivalents 15
Table 13 - Conversion Factors – Energy Equivalents 16
6. Conversion Guidelines 17
6.1 Size Designation of Pipe, Fittings, flanges, Valves and Other Piping Components 17
Table 14- Size Designation for Pipe, Fittings, Flanges, Valves, etc. 17
6.2 Pressure-Temperature Ratings 17
Table 15 - Class Ratings for Forged Fittings, Socket Welding and Threaded (B16.11) 18
6.3 Guidelines for Converting USCS Units of Length into SI Units 18
6.3.1 Toleranced versus Un-Toleranced Dimensions 18
6.3.2 Conversion of Inch Fractions 19
Table 16-Conversion of Inch Fraction to Millimeter 19
6.3.3 Guidelines for Conversion of Inch Dimensions 20
Table 17- Conversion of Most Dimensions from Inches to Millimeters 20
6.3.4 Guidelines for Conversion of Foot Dimensions 21
Table 18- Conversion of Length into SI Units 21
6.5 Guidelines for Converting USCS Units of Temperature into SI Units 21
6.5.1 Converting Limiting Temperatures 21
6.5.2 Converting Preheat and Postweld Heat Treatment Temperatures 22
6.5.3 Converting Lower Critical Temperatures 22
Table 19 - Conversion of Lower Critical Temperatures from Fahrenheit to Celsius 22
6.5.4 Converting Temperatures from Fahrenheit to Celsius in Allowable Stress Tables 22
Table 20- Temperatures in Celsius to be used in Stress Tables for Ferrous Materials 23
Table 21 -Temperatures in Celsius to be used in Stress Tables for Non-ferrous 24
Materials
6.6 Guidelines for Converting USCS Units of Pressure into SI Units 24

1
Table 22- Conversion of Pressure from psi to kPa or MPa 24
6.7 Guidelines for Converting USCS Units of Strength or Stress into SI Units 25
6.8 Guidelines for Converting Other Units 25

2
 METRICATION GUIDELINES
FOR
ASME CODES FOR PRESSURE PIPING B31
1. Introduction
These guidelines are intended to provide an understanding of systems of units used in the United
States and other countries; and establish guidance for conversion of US Customary System
(USCS) of units into International System (SI) of metric units.

These guidelines are intended to be applied uniformly to convert USCS units into SI metric units
in all ASME B31, Code for Pressure Piping sections and standards.

2. Policy on Use of SI Units

A statement shall be provided in the Foreword in each book section as follows:

“Either US Customary Units or SI Units shall be used with this edition, but one system of
units shall be used consistently for all Code requirements applying to an installation.

Also include the following statement in the Foreword of each book section as follows:

“The equations in this code may be used with any consistent system of units. It is the
responsibility of the organization performing the calculations to ensure that a consistent set of
units is used.”

3. Guidelines for Developing SI Equivalents

3.1 Either SI or USCS units may be primary.

3.2 the secondary units should be placed in parenthesis after the primary units in the text.

3.3 Separate USCS and SI tables should generally be provided if interpolation is expected. Table
designation (e.g. table number) should be the same for both the US Customary and SI tables,
with the addition of a letter in parenthesis for the secondary units Table. In the text,
references to both tables should be made. For small tables, secondary units may be placed in
parenthesis after the primary units if the result is clear and uncluttered.

3.4 Separate secondary unit versions of graphical information should be provided where adding
the secondary units to existing graphical information would cause the result to be unclear or
cluttered.

3.5 Conversions should be made by rounding the values to the number of significant digits of
implied precision in the existing units. In each case, it will be necessary to apply a “common
sense” test, favoring more significant digits in the secondary units if there is any question.

3
3.6 The equations in the codes for pressure piping are suitable for use only with either the SI or
US Customary units provided in this metrication guide, or with the units provided in the
nomenclature associated with that equation.

4 The International System of Units (SI)

SI units are divided into three categories of units, as follows:

• Base units
• Derived units

SI units also include prefixes, which are listed in Table 1. These prefixes are used to form
decimal multiples and submultiples of SI units.

Table 1 - SI Prefixes
Factor Prefix Symbol Factor Prefix Symbol
24 3 8 -1
10 =(10 ) yotta Y 10 deci d
1021=(103)7 zetta Z 10-2 centi c
1018= (103)6 exa E 10-3=(103)-1 milli m
1015=(103)5 peta P 10-6=(103)-2 micro
1012= (103)4 tera T 10-9=(103)-3 nano n
109=(103)3 giga G 10-l2=(103)-4 pico P
106= (103)2 mega M 10-15=(103)-5 femto f
103=(103)1 kilo k 10-18=(103)-6 atto a
102 hecto h 10-21=(103)-7 zepto z
101 deka da 10-24=(103)-8 yocto y

In accordance with United States and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),
we shall use dot or period as the decimal marker rather than comma, used by European
countries, the spellings "meter", "liter", and "deka " rather than "metre", "litre", "deca",
and the name "metric ton" rather than "tonne". Henceforth, we will follow this approach,
although we have done otherwise up to this point.

4. 1 Base SI Units
The following provides a definition of five base SI units.

Table 2 lists the SI base units and their symbols.

Table 2 - SI Base Units

Base Quantity SI Base Unit
Name Symbol
Length meter m
Mass kilogram k
Time second s

4
Electric Current ampere A
Thermodynamic Kelvin K
temperature

4.2 Derived SI Units

Derived units are expressed algebraically in terms of base units, or derived units. The symbols for
derived units are obtained by mathematical operations of multiplication and division. Some
commonly used derived units are listed in Table 3.

Table 3 - Examples of SI Derived Units

Derived Quantity SI Derived Unit

Name Symbol
Force Newton N
(Kg m/s2)
Area square meter m2
Volume cubic meter m3
Speed, Velocity meter per second m/s
Acceleration meter per second squared m/s2
Mass Density kilogram per cubic meter kg/m3
Specific Volume cubic meter per kilogram m3/kg

There are many more derived SI units, which are used for variety of tasks.
4.3 Units of Temperature
The most commonly used scales for measuring temperature are the Fahrenheit and Celsius
(formerly Centigrade). These thermometer scales have as their base the melting and boiling points
of water, both at atmospheric pressure. The relation of the Fahrenheit and Celsius scales is as
follows:

Table 4 – Temperature Reference Points

Temperature Scale Absolute Zero Freezing Point of Water Boiling Point of Water

Fahrenheit - 459.6 degrees 32 degrees 212 degrees

Celsius - 273. 16 degrees 0 degree 100 degrees

The relationship between the two scales is:

Degree C = 5/9 (Degrees F - 32 ) and Degrees F = 9/5( Degrees C) + 32

Where, C is the reading on Celsius scale and F is the reading on Fahrenheit scale. In certain
calculations, it is necessary to express the temperature in "absolute" units. The absolute
temperature associated with Fahrenheit scale is called Rankine temperature, denoted by degree
Rankine (R ) and it has the following association:

Degree R = Degree F + 459.6

5
At times 459.6 is rounded to 460 when the accuracy of the results is not of serious concern.

The absolute temperature associated with Celsius scale is termed degrees Kelvin (K) and this
relationship is expressed as follows:

Degrees K = Degrees C + 273.16

For sake of approximation, 273.16 is usually rounded off to 273.

5. Units Conversion Factors

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard SI 10 American National
Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System provides
conversion factors for converting US Customary units to SI units.

5.1 Conversion Factors for Commonly Used Units for Piping

The tables 5 through 13 provide conversion factors for various quantities associated with piping.

6
Table 5 - Conversion factors - Frequently Used USCS Units to SI Units

To convert To Multiply by
Velocity
Feet per second Meters per second 0.3048
Acceleration
Feet per sq second Meters per sq second 0.3048
Area
Square feet Square meters 0.09290304
Energy
Btu Joule 1055.06
Calorie Joule 4.19002
Foot pound-force Joule 1.355818
Watt-hour Joule 3600.355818
Force
Dyne Newton 0.00001
Kilogram Newton 9.80665
Pound-force Newton 4.448222
Length
Foot Meter 0.3048
Mile (U.S. statute) Meter 1609.344
Mass
Pound Kilogram 0.4535924
Slug Kilogram 14.5939
Ton (2000 lb) Kilogram 907.1847

7
Table 5 - Conversion factors - Frequently Used USCS Units to SI Units
(continued)

To convert To Multiply by
Power
Btu per second Watt 1054.35

Foot pounds per second Watt 1.355818

Horsepower Watt 746
Pressure
Atmosphere Newtons per sq meter 101325
Bar Newtons per sq meter 100000
Kilogram per sq cm. Newtons per sq meter 98066.5
Pounds per sq in. Newtons per sq meter 6894.757
Tore (mm Hg 0°C) Newtons per sq meter 133.322

Viscosity
Centipoise Newton second per meter 0.001

Pounds per foot second Newton second per meter 1.488164

Volume
Cubic foot Cubic meter 0.02831685
Gallon (U.S. liquid) Cubic meter 0.003785412

8
Mass Equivalents
Table 6 - Conversion Factors – Mass Equivalents

TO CONVERT
FROM TO→ Pound
↓ (avdp) Gram Kilogram Grains
MULTIPLY
Pound (avdp) BY → 1 453.6 0.4536 7000
MULTIPLY
Gram BY → 0.0022 1 0.001 15.4324
MULTIPLY
Kilogram BY → 2.2046 1000 1 1.54324E4
MULTIPLY
Grains BY → 1.4285E-4 .06479 6.4798E-5 1

9
Length Equivalents
Table 7 - Conversion Factors – Length Equivalents
TO CONVERT
FROM TO→ Mile
↓ Inch Foot (statute) Millimeter Centimeter Meter Kilometer
MULTIPLY
Inch BY → 1 0.08333 25.4 2.54 0.0254
MULTIPLY
Foot BY → 12 1 304.8 30.48 0.3048
MULTIPLY
Mile (statute) BY → 63360 5280 1 1609.344 1.609344
MULTIPLY
Millimeter BY → 0.03937 0.003281 1 0.1 0.001
MULTIPLY
Centimeter BY → 0.3937 0.032808 10 1 0.01
MULTIPLY
Meter BY → 39.3701 3.28084 1000 100 1 0.001
MULTIPLY
Kilometer BY → 39,370 3280.8 0.62137 100,000 1000 1

10
Area Equivalents
Table 8 - Conversion Factors – Area Equivalents
TO CONVERT
FROM TO→ Square Square Square Square Square
↓ inch foot millimeter centimeter meter
MULTIPLY
Square inch BY → 1 0.006944 645.16 6.4516 0.00064516
MULTIPLY
Square foot BY → 144 1 92903.04 929.0304 0.09290
MULTIPLY
Square millimeter BY → 0.00155 1 0.01 1 E-6
MULTIPLY
Square centimeter BY → 0.1550 0.001076 100 1 0.0001
MULTIPLY
Square meter BY → 1550.0031 10.76391 1 E+6 10,000 1

11
Volume Equivalents

Table 9 - Conversion Factors – Volume Equivalents

TO CONVERT
FROM TO→ U.S. Cubic Cubic Cubic
↓ gallon inch foot Liter Meter
MULTIPLY
U.S. gallon BY → 1 231 0.13368 3.7853 0.00378
MULTIPLY
Cubic inch BY → 0.004329 1 0.000579 0.0164 0.000016
MULTIPLY
Cubic foot BY → 7.4805 1728 1 28.316 0.02832
MULTIPLY
Liter BY → 0.26418 61.025 0.0353 1 0.001
MULTIPLY
Cubic meter BY → 264.17 61023.74 35.3147 1000 1

12
Volumetric Flow Rate Equivalents

Table 10 - Conversion Factors - Flow Rate Equivalents

TO CONVERT FROM Barrel Barrel

TO→ U.S. gallons Cubic feet Cubic meter Liter per (42 gallons) (42 gallons)
↓
per minute per second per hour second per minute per day
MULTIPLY
U.S. gallons per minute BY → 1 0.00223 0.2271 0.0631 0.0238 34.286
MULTIPLY
Cubic feet per second BY → 448.83 1 101.9 28.32 10.686 15388
MULTIPLY
Cubic meters per second BY → 15850 35.315 3600 1000 377.4 543447
MULTIPLY
Cubic meters per minute BY → 264.2 0.5886 60 16.667 6.29 9058
MULTIPLY
Cubic meters per hour BY → 4.403 0.00982 1 0.2778 0.1048 151
MULTIPLY
Liter per second BY → 15.85 0.0353 3.6 1 0.3773 543.3
MULTIPLY
Liter per minute BY → 0.2642 0.000589 0.06 0.0167 0.00629 9.055

13
Density Equivalents

Table 11 - Conversion Factors – Density Equivalents

TO CONVERT FROM Pounds Pounds Kilograms

TO→ Grams per cubic per cubic per cubic per cubic
↓
centimeter inch foot meter
MULTIPLY BY
1 0.03613 62.42806 1000
Grams per cubic centimeter →
MULTIPLY BY
Pounds per cubic inch → 27.67991 1 1728 27679.905
MULTIPLY BY
Pounds per cubic foot → 0.01602 0.0005787 1 16.01846
MULTIPLY BY
0.001 3.6128 E-5 0.06243 1
Kilograms per cubic meter →

14
Pressure Equivalents

Table 12 - Conversion Factors – Pressure Equivalents

TO CONVERT Pounds
per square Kilograms Inches Millimeters Mega- Kilo- Giga- Kips per 1000 Kips per
FROM TO→ inch per square water mercury Pascal Pascal Pascal Square Inch Square Inch
↓ (PSI) Atmosphere centimeter (68°F) (32°F) Bar (MPa) (KPa) (GPa) (KSI) (MSI)
MULTIPLY
(PSI) BY → 1 0.068046 0.070307 27.7276 51.7149 0.068947 6.895E-3 6.8947 6.895E-6 1E-3 1E-6

MULTIPLY
Atmosphere BY → 14.696 1 1.03323 407.484 760 1.01325 0.101325 101.325 1.01325E-4 1.4696E-2 1.4696E-5

MULTIPLY
Kilograms per square BY → 14.2233 0.96784 1 394.38 735.559 0.98067 0.098067 98.0665 9.8067E-5 1.42233E-2 1.42233E-5
centimeter

MULTIPLY
Inches water (68°F) BY → 0.036065 0.002454 0.00253 1 1.8651 0.002491 2.4908E-4 2.4908E-1 2.4908E-7 3.6065E-5 3.6065E-8

MULTIPLY
Millimeters mercury BY → 0.0193368 0.0013158 0.0013595 0.53616 1 1.333E-3 1.333E-4 0.1333224 1.333E-7 1.93368E-5 1.93368E-8
(32°F)

MULTIPLY
Bar BY → 14.5038 0.98692 1.01972 402.156 750.062 1 0.1 100 1E-4 1.45038-2 1.45038-5

MULTIPLY
MPa BY → 145.038 9.8692 10.1972 4021.56 7500.62 10 1 1000 1E-3 1.45038E-1 1.45038E-4

MULTIPLY
KPa BY → 0.145038 0.0098692 0.01019716 4.02156 7.50062 .01 .001 1 1E-6 1.45038E-4 1.45038E-7

MULTIPLY
GPa BY → 1.45038E5 9.8692E3 1.01972E4 4.02156E6 7.50062E6 1E4 1E3 1E6 1 145.038 1.45038E-1

MULTIPLY
KSI BY → 1000 68.04596 70.30696 2.7727E4 5.17149E4 68.947 6.8947 6.8947E3 6.8947E-3 1 1E-3

MULTIPLY
MSI BY → 1E6 6.80459E4 7.030696E4 2.7727E7 5.17149E7 6.8947E4 6.8947E3 6.8947E6 6.8947 1E3 1

15
Energy Equivalents

Table 13 - Conversion Factors – Energy Equivalents

TO CONVERT
FROM TO→ Calorie Foot Horsepower Kilowatt Kilogram
↓ Btu* (gram)** pound hour Joule hour meter
MULTIPLY
Btu* BY → 1 251.8 778.169 0.000393 1055.06 0.000293 107.586
MULTIPLY
Calorie (gram)** BY → 0.00397 1 3.08596 1.56 E-6 4.184 1.16 E-6 0.426649
MULTIPLY
Foot pound BY → 0.00129 0.32405 1 5.05 E-7 1.35582 3.77 E-7 0.13825
MULTIPLY
Horsepower hour BY → 2544.5 641616 1.98 E+6 1 2.68 E+6 0.7457 273745
MULTIPLY
Joule BY → 0.00095 0.239 0.73756 3.72 E-7 1 2.77 E-7 0.102
MULTIPLY
Kilowatt hour BY → 3412.97 860421 2.65 E+6 1.34102 3.6 E+6 1 367098
MULTIPLY
Kilogram meter BY → 0.00929 2.344 7.233 3.65 E-6 9.807 2.72 E-6 1
*Based on 1 Btu = 778.169 ft-lb.
**Based on 1 Cal = 4.1840 joules.

16
 6. Conversion Guidelines
This section provides guidance in converting USCS units into SI metric units with examples and
associated rationale for use in ASME B31, Code Pressure Piping sections and standards.

6.2 Size Designation of Pipe, Fittings, flanges, Valves and Other Piping
Components
In both the USCS and SI units systems, Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) followed by a dimensionless
number, such as NPS 1 , 2, 24, 30, etc., is used to designate the size of a pipe, fitting, flange,
valve, and other piping components, including connecting nozzles of pumps, vessels, tanks, etc.
In some areas of the world, Diameter Nominal (DN) followed by a dimensionless number, such
as DN 25, 50, 600, 750, etc. is used to designate the size of a pipe, fitting, flange, valve, and other
piping components, including connecting nozzles of pumps, vessels, tanks, etc.

Table 14 shows NPS and DN equivalents. B31 codes and standards should always show NPS.
DN equivalents should generally be shown as well, but it is acceptable to just show the NPS
values as long as a table similar to Table 14 is also provided in the code or standard.

Table 14- Size Designation for Pipe, Fittings, Flanges, Valves, etc.
Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) Diameter Nominal (DN)
1/8 6
1/4 8
3/8 10
1/2 15
3/4 20
1 25
1 1/4 32
1 1/2 40
2 50
2 1/2 65
3 80
4 100
For even sizes greater than NPS 4, DN size is obtained by multiplying NPS size designator by 25.
For example NPS 6 = DN 6 X 25 = DN 150.

6.3 Pressure-Temperature Ratings

In USCS units, the pressure-temperature ratings of pipe, fittings, flanges, valves, and other
components are expressed in Class followed by a dimensionless designator. Examples are:

Class 25
Class 75
Class 125
Class 150
Class 250
Class 300
Class 400

17
Class 600
Class 800
Class 900
Class 1500
Class 2500
Class 4500

Intermediate, limited, and Special Class ratings are also used to designate pressure-temperature
ratings of components. Refer to relevant piping component standards, such as ASME B16.1,
B16.5, B16.11, B16.34, etc.

For pressure-temperature ratings of NPS 4 and smaller forged fittings, socket welding and
threaded, see Table 15.

Table 15 - Class Ratings for Forged Fittings, Socket Welding and

Threaded (ASME B16.11)

Forged Threaded Forged Socket Welding

Fittings Fittings
Class 2000 Class 3000
Class 3000 Class 6000
Class 6000 Class 9000

The pressure-temperature ratings are designated by Pression Nominal (PN). In some European
and Asian codes and standards. Because Class ratings are not equivalent to PN ratings, it is
not possible to establish a equivalency relationship between the two rating systems. ASME
B16 Standards Committee has decided to use Class rating system only in all ASME B16
standards, so Class ratings should be used whenever referring to ASME and most other US based
standards. When referring to standards that use PN ratings, PN ratings should be used.

6.4 Guidelines for Converting USCS Units of Length into SI Units

Dimension length may be used in many different forms to designate size, length, diameter, radius,
thickness, or other parameter. Sometimes a number is used to designate size without utilization of
units of length in either USCS or SI metric system of units. At times, dimension length may be
subjected to established tolerances while in other cases no tolerance is applicable. Guidelines for
converting dimension length take into consideration whether tolerances are applicable or not.

Use of term "nominal" indicates that the stated size or dimension is only for designation, not for
measurement. The actual dimension may or may not be the nominal size and may or may not be
subject to established tolerances.

6.4.1 Toleranced versus Un-Toleranced Dimensions

Dimensions that have tolerances are those that are considered important for adequate fit-up and
for the pressure and structural integrity of the piping components. These dimensions must be
converted such that the metric dimensions are essentially the same as the USCS dimensions, and
the converted tolerances ought to permit deviations from the specified dimensions that are

18
functionally identical to those permitted by the USCS tolerances. Examples of toleranced
dimensions include the pipe wall thickness, pipe outside diameter, etc.

Dimensions that have no tolerances are those that need not have precision for fit-up and some
deviations in them do not significantly affect the structural and pressure integrity of piping
components. Examples of such dimensions are the flange outside diameter and the height of the
flange raised face.

6.4.2 Conversion of Inch Fractions

Initially, smaller dimensions were expressed in inch fractions, such as 1/16 in., 1/8 in., etc. Later,
these inch fractions were converted into decimal inches. 1/16 in. was converted to 0.0625 in. or
0.06 in. Similarly, 1/8 in. was expressed as 0.125 in. or 0.12 in.

Millimeter dimensions should be converted from the initial inch fractions rather than the decimal
inch dimensions. For example, 1/16 in., when converted from fraction, converts to 1 .6 mm. The
decimal "equivalent" (0.06 in.) converts to 1.5 mm.

1/16 in., at times, has been converted to nearest 0.1 mm, sometimes converted to the nearest 0.5
mm, and at other times converted to the nearest 1 mm. The conversion depends on the needed
precision of the measured dimension. Therefore, the millimeter equivalent for 0.06 in, is
sometimes 1.6 mm, sometimes 1.5 mm, and other times 2 mm. This approach applies to
conversion of other inch fractions as well.

Table 16 provides the recommended conversions for inch fractions:

Table 16-Conversion of Inch Fraction to Millimeter

Inch Fraction Proposed SI
Conversion
1/64 in. 0.4mm
1/32 in. 0.8mm
3/64 in. 1.2mm
1/16 in. 1.5 mm
3/32 in. 2.5 mm
1/8 in. 3 mm
5/32 in. 4mm
3/1 6 in. 5 mm
7/32 in. 5.5 mm
1/4 in. 6 mm
5/16 in. 8 mm
3/8 in. 10mm
7/16 in. 11 mm
1/2 in. 13 mm
9/1 6 in. 14 mm
5/8 in. 16mm
11/16 in. 17 mm
3/4in. 19mm
7/8 in. 22mm
1 in. 25 mm

19
6.4.3 Guidelines for Conversion of Inch Dimensions
In case of nominal size or dimension, simply use even multiples of 25, and interpolate for intermediate
values rather than converting and rounding to the nearest millimeter. Examples are shown in Table 26
below. This approach does not apply to nominal size of pipe or piping components designated by
nominal pipe size (NPS).

Tablet 17- Conversion of Most Dimensions from Inches to Millimeters

Dimension, inches Dimension, mm

1 25
1 1/8 29
1 1/4 32
1 1/2 38
2 50
2 1/4 57
2 1/2 64
3 75
3 1/2 89
4 100
4 1/2 114
5 125
6 150
8 200
10 250
12 300
14 350
16 400
18 450
20 500
24 600
28 700
30 750
36 900
40 1000
54 1350
60 1500
72 1800

20
6.4.4 Guidelines for Conversion of Foot Dimensions
Use Table 18 to convert size or length expressed in foot to meters. Rationale of rounding involves
rounding to the whole number or the numbers on the right hand side of the decimal to a multiple
of 0.25.

Table 18- Conversion of Length into SI Units

Size or Length, Actual Converted Rounded Size or
ft. Size or Length, m Length, m
1 0.3048 0.3
2 0.6096 0.6
3 0.9144 0.9
4 1.219 1.2
5 1.524 1.5
6 1.829 1.8
7 2.1336 2.0
8 2.438 2.5
9 2.7432 2.75
10 3.038 3.0
15 4.57 4.5
20 6.096 6.0
50 15.24 15.0
100 30.48 30.0
200 60.96 60.0

6.5 Guidelines for Converting USCS Units of Temperature into SI Units

In USCS of units, temperature is expressed in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) while degrees Celsius are
used in metric SI units. The following formula can be used to convert Fahrenheit into Celsius.
Degrees Celsius = 5/9 (Degrees Fahrenheit - 32)

6.5.1 Converting Limiting Temperatures

The minimum and/or maximum temperature limits in Fahrenheit degrees for materials shall be
converted to the nearest one degree Celsius.

For example, Note 2 of Table A-l of ASME B31. 1-2004 Edition containing temperature of 775°
F, will read "Upon prolonged exposure to temperatures above 413° C, the carbide phase of
carbon steel may be converted to graphite."

Note 12 of Table A-l of ASME B 31.1 -2004 Edition currently reads:

"This is a product specification., Allowable stresses are not necessary. Limitations on metal
temperature for materials covered by this specification for use under B31.1 are:
Grade 1 and 2 -20° F to 600° F
Grade 2H -20° F to 800° F

After converting the temperature limits and rounding to the nearest degree Celsius in Note 12
reproduced above will read as follows:

21
"This is a product specification., Allowable stresses are not necessary. Limitations on metal
temperature for materials covered by this specification for use under B31.1 are:
Grade I and 2 -29° C to 316° C
Grade 2H -29° C to 427° C

6.5.2 Converting Preheat and Postweld Heat Treatment Temperatures

Preheat and postweld heat treatment (PWHT) temperatures or range of temperatures in Fahrenheit
degrees shall be converted to the nearest five (5) degree Celsius.

6.5.3 Converting Lower Critical Temperatures

Lower critical temperatures in Fahrenheit degrees shall be converted to the nearest five (5) degree
Celsius. Table 19 lists some examples.

Table 19 - Conversion of Lower Critical Temperatures from Fahrenheit

to Celsius
Lower Critical Temperature °F Lower Critical Temperature °C
1,340 725
1,350 730
1,375 745
1,430 775
1,480 805
1,490 810
1,505 820

6.5.4 Converting Temperatures from Fahrenheit to Celsius in Allowable

Stress Tables
Conversion of Fahrenheit temperatures in for allowable stresses or design stress intensity tables
shall not be done by using formula to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius degrees and rounding to the
nearest one or five degrees. Table 20 provides listing of temperatures in Celsius that will be used
in Appendix A for ferrous materials. There is no direct relationship between the Fahrenheit and
Celsius temperatures listed in the two columns of the table hereunder; however, the approach is
same as that followed by ASME Section II, Part D.

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Tables 20 and 21 show the temperatures for listing the allowable stresses for
ferrous and non-ferrous materials respectively. Please note that there is not a
temperature for temperature conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius.

Table 20- Listing of Temperatures in Celsius to be used in Stress Tables

for Ferrous Materials

Temperatures in Celsius (°C)

-30 to 40
65
100
125
150
200
250
300
325
350
375
400
425
450
475
500
525
550
575
600
625
650

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Table 21 - Listing of Temperatures in Celsius to be used in Stress Tables
for Non-ferrous Materials
Temperatures in Celsius (°C)
-30 to 40
65
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
275
300
325
350
375
400
425
450
475
500
525
550
575
600
625
650
675
700
725
750
775
800
825
850
875

6.6 Guidelines for Converting USCS Units of Pressure into SI Units

In SI metric units, pressure may either be expressed in mega Pascals (MPa) or kilo Pascals (kPa)
depending upon the magnitude of the pressure. In USCS units, pressure is expressed in pounds
per square inch (psi).

Table-22 provides values of pressure converted from psi to MPa and kPa. Pressure equal to and
above 100 kPa has been rounded to the nearest multiple of 25.

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In cases of jurisdictional boundaries the temperature or pressure needs to be more accurate, such
as the jurisdictional boundary of 15 psi. Here the metric equivalent would be kPa rounded to one
decimal place (103.4 kPa).

Table 22- Conversion of Pressure from psi to kPa or MPa

Pressure, psi Pressure, kPa Pressure, kPa Pressure, MPa
Rounded Rounded
1 6.8947 7
2 13.789 15 ---
3 20.684 20 ---
5 34.473 35 ---
10 68.947 70 ---
15 103.42 100 ---
25 172.367 175 ---
50 344.735 350 ---
75 517.102 525 ---
100 689.470 700 ---
125 861.837 850 ---
150 1034.2 1025 1
175 1206.572 1200 1.2
200 1378.94 1375 1.4
250 1723.675 1725 1.7
300 2068.41 2075 2.0
350 2413.145 2425 2.4
400 2757.88 2750 2.75
450 3102.615 3100 3.1
500 3447.35 3450 3.4
600 4136.82 4150 4.1
1,200 8273.64 8275 8.3
1,500 10342.05 10350 10.3

6.7 Guidelines for Converting USCS Units of Strength or Stress into SI

Units
Tensile and yield strengths of materials in SI metric units shall be those listed in the ASTM or
ASME material specifications. Units for strength shall be expressed in MPa.

In SI metric units, stress shall be expressed in MPa in allowable stress tables as applicable to each
ASME B31 Code section.

6.8 Guidelines for Converting Other Units

Since the unit of time in USCS and SI metric systems of units is seconds, therefore, there is no
need to convert it. Use seconds as currently being used.

For force, Newtons (N) will replace pounds-force (lbf).

For moment, Newton-meters (N-m) will replace inch-pound-force (in-lbf).

For energy, Joules (J) will be used in place of foot-pound-force (ft-lbf).

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SI metric unit system has no equivalent of Brinell and Rockwell C hardness scale.

Surface finish shall be expressed in micro meters in lieu of micro inch currently used in USCS
system of units.

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