Convert Poundal to Metric Ton-Force
Convert Poundal (pdl) to Metric Ton-Force (tf) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
tf = pdl × 1.409808185e-5
About Poundal
The poundal (pdl) is the force unit of the foot-pound-second absolute system - the force to accelerate 1 pound at 1 ft/s² - approximately 0.1383 N. Introduced in 1877 by Thomson and Tait as the FPS analogue of the CGS dyne (1 dyn = 1 g·cm/s²; 1 pdl = 1 lb·ft/s²). The poundal is distinct from pound-force: since standard gravity = 32.174 ft/s², 1 lbf = 32.174 pdl. It survives in older British engineering texts and early 20th-century thermodynamics literature, but is otherwise obsolete. 1 pdl = 0.138254954376 N = 1/32.174 lbf.
About Metric Ton-Force
One metric tonne-force (tf) is the gravitational force on 1,000 kg under standard gravity - exactly 9,806.65 N = 9.80665 kN. It dominates international heavy engineering: crane hook capacities are rated in tf (a '50-tonne crane' lifts 50 tf = 490.3 kN); ship mooring lines, anchor holding power, and cargo lashing per IMO standards are in tf; hydraulic presses for metal extrusion and stamping in Europe and Asia are rated in tf. ISO 7531 lifting-gear working load limits (WLL) use tf. 1 tf = 1,000 kgf = 9,806.65 N = 2,204.6 lbf.
Quick Reference Table
| Poundal (pdl) | Metric Ton-Force (tf) |
|---|---|
| 1 pdl | 1.41 × 10-5 tf |
| 2 pdl | 2.82 × 10-5 tf |
| 5 pdl | 7.049 × 10-5 tf |
| 10 pdl | 0.000140981 tf |
| 25 pdl | 0.000352452 tf |
| 50 pdl | 0.000704904 tf |
| 100 pdl | 0.00140981 tf |