A mechanical seal is a device that helps join systems and mechanisms together by preventing leakage (e.g. in a pumping system), containing pressure, or excluding contamination. The effectiveness of a seal is dependent on adhesion in the case of sealants and compression in the case of gaskets. The seals are installed in pumps in a wide range of industries including chemicals, water supply, paper production, food processing and many other applications. A stationary seal may also be referred to as 'packing'. Seal types: Induction sealing or cap sealing Adhesive, sealant Bodok seal, a specialized gas sealing washer for medical applications Bonded seal, also known as Dowty seal or Dowty washer. A type of washer with integral gasket, widely used to provide a seal at the entry point of a screw or bolt Bridgman seal, a piston sealing mechanism that creates a high pressure reservoir from a lower pressure source Bung Compression seal fitting Diaphragm seal Ferrofluidic seal Gasket or Mechanical packing Flange gasket O-ring O-ring boss seal Piston ring Glass-to-metal seal Glass-ceramic-to-metal seals Heat seal Hose coupling, various types of hose couplings Hermetic seal Hydrostatic seal Hydrodynamic seal Inflatable seal Seals that inflate and deflate in three basic directions of operation: the axial direction, the radial-in direction, and the radial-out direction. Each of these inflation directions has their own set of performance parameters for measurements such as the height of inflation and the center-line bend radius that the seal can negotiate. Inflatable seals can be used for numerous applications with difficult sealing issues. Labyrinth seal A seal which creates a tortuous path for the liquid to flow through Lid (container) Rotating face mechanical seal Face seal Plug Radial shaft seal Trap (plumbing) (siphon trap) Stuffing box (mechanical packing) Wiper seal Dry gas seal See also Leakage (chemistry) References