Pressure, vacuum and ultrasonic metrology are the key metrological fields for industry, research and society because of their extremely wide range of applications in industrial processing, manufacturing, testing, medical science, environment monitoring, aviation, aerospace, road transport, fundamental research, semiconductors, coatings, displays production, fusion experiments, biotechnologies, autofrettage, engine development, water jet cutting machines, food production and sterilisation, development of automated systems require traceable measurement of extremely low or extremely high pressures, or measurements under dynamic conditions.

The main aim of the Pressure, Vacuum and Ultrasonic Metrology Section is to realize, maintain and disseminate the derived SI unit of pressure and vacuum – the pascal (Pa). The Group has been providing apex level calibrations in pressure, vacuum and ultrasonic measurements and maintains traceability of pressure and vacuum measurements at international level. The main objective and activities of the group are to establish, maintain and upgrade national primary and secondary standards of pressure, vacuum and ultrasonic measurements equivalent to international standards through continuous research and development. Over the years the group has achieved the global status of compatible measurement standards and calibration facilities.

• Vacuum Standards:
  Calibration of different types of vacuum gauges, air and vacuum piston gauges /dead weight testers / pressure balances and various types of gauges such as Quartz Bourdon, Pirani, thermocouple, Penning, dial type, ionization, spinning rotor, capacitance diaphragm, inductive diaphragm, blood pressure measuring instruments in static conditions etc.
  
  
• Pressure Standards:
  Calibration of piston gauges / dead weight testers / pressure balances, dial gauges, transducers, pressure transmitters (in absolute, gauge and differential modes), etc.
  
  
• Ultrasonic Standards:
  Calibration and Testing of ultrasonicpower, equipments such as, ultrasonic transducers (angle, normal, focused beam, therapeutic), UFD, ultrasonic reference blocks (V1, V2 and step wedge), thickness gauge and reference rails. Also available are the facilities for ultrasonic velocity, impedance and attenuation measurements

• Characterization of vacuum / air / pneumatic / hydraulic piston gauges/dead weight tester/pressure balances.
  
  
• Setting up of calibration laboratories for pressure, vacuum and ultrasonic measurements.
  
  
• Reference standards for calibration of blood pressure measuring instruments in static conditions.
  
  
• Characterization of ultrasonic transducers, ultrasonic power and NDT.
  
  
• Development of customized systems/ instruments with improved parameters.

Training programs in pressure, vacuum and ultrasonic metrology for various Indian industries, legal metrology officers, other users and international institutions.

CSIR-NPL is a signatory to Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) of International Committee of Weights and Measure (CIPM), France [1]. The CIPM MRA is the framework through which National Metrology Institutes demonstrate the international equivalence of their measurement standards and the calibration and measurement certificates they issue [2]. The outcomes of the Arrangement are the internationally recognized (peer-reviewed and approved) Calibration and Measurement Capabilities (CMCs) of the participating institutes. Approved CMCs and supporting technical data are publicly available from the CIPM MRA database (the KCDB) [2-3]. Therefore, most of the calibration services provided by Pressure, Vacuum and Ultrasonic Metrology Section of CSIR-NPL, are globally compatible, acceptable and available at very competitive rates [4]. We ensure timely, effective and customers’ friendly services.