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UNBS acquires Shs235m equipment to test composition of steel products

  23rd September , 2019 ,       Hits: 571

Kampala, 23rd September 2019 - Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), has acquired the Optical Emission Spectrometer (OES), a machine used to test chemical composition of steel and aluminium metal products. 

The machine is able to determine the amount of chemical elements as well as trace metals in steel and aluminium products.

“The machine acquisition is a great step in the fight against poor quality steel products on the market. It will further enhance our capacity to test comprehensively all parameters as prescribed in the standard to ensure good quality products on the market,” the UNBS Executive Director Dr. Ben Manyindo said.

Chemical composition of steel is a key factor in determining the product’s performance in terms of strength, hardness and ultimately quality of the final product. 

The new OES, which cost UNBS Shs235 million, supplements the Universal Testing Machine (UTM) which UNBS has been using to test the strength of the steel products. It completes a set of equipment needed for testing both physical and chemical parameters of steel products.

 “It was necessary to acquire the OES machine since our investigations have revealed that most of the substandard iron bars on the market also have wrong chemical composition. Some manufacturers mark steel iron bars with grades of 500 but after testing, some are found to have grades as low as 300 contrary to what is required by the standard,” Dr. Manyindo said.

“This machine will therefore enable us to detect such discrepancies early enough to institute the necessary corrective measures,” Dr. Manyindo added.  “With the acquisition of the spectrometer, even the turnaround time for testing steel products will greatly improve thereby facilitation trade and development of the steel sector”.

About UNBS

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a statutory body responsible for developing and promoting standards, quality products and services to facilitate fair trade, promote local industries and protect consumers.

For more information, please contact:

Godwin Bonge Muhwezi

Head, Public Relations

Uganda National Bureau of Standards

Plot 2 - 12, By-Pass Link, Bweyogerere Industrial Park,

P.O Box 6329 Kampala, Uganda

Tel: 0700930996

e-mail: godwin.muhwezi@unbs.go.ug

Website: www.unbs.go.ug