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Mechanical Engineering vocabulary · Machine Elements

Seal

Meaning in mechanical engineering, with examples

/siːl/nounCommon term

In mechanical engineering, seal means: A part that stops liquid, gas or dirt from leaking between two surfaces, especially where one part moves, such as a rotating shaft or a sliding piston rod.

In Turkish: sızdırmazlık elemanı, keçe, salmastra

How it is used

Used for pumps, gearboxes, hydraulics and pneumatics. Common types are lip seals (oil seals), O-rings and mechanical seals. Seals leak, wear and are replaced, and their material is chosen for the fluid and temperature. It is also a verb: to seal a joint.

Example sentences

  1. The mechanical seal on pump 3 is leaking and needs to be replaced.

  2. Use an FKM seal because the oil temperature is above 120 °C.

Common collocations

  • oil seal
  • mechanical seal
  • shaft seal
  • seal leak
  • replace the seal
  • gasketA flat sealing piece placed between two fixed surfaces, such as pipe flanges or a cover and a housing, to stop leaks when they are bolted together.
  • shaftA long, round rotating part that carries gears, pulleys or wheels and transmits power and torque from one component to another.
  • pumpA machine that moves liquid through pipes by adding energy to it, raising its pressure or lifting it to a higher level.
  • wearThe gradual loss of material from a surface caused by friction, rubbing or hard particles during use, for example on bearings, gears, seals and cutting tools.
  • lubricationPutting oil or grease between moving surfaces, for example in bearings, gears and chains, to reduce friction, wear and heat.

More terms: Machine Elements

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