Antunes 0200267

WASHER SEAL

A mechanical seal is a device that helps join systems or mechanisms together by preventing leakage (e.g. in a pump system), maintaining temperature, 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 or o-rings.

A washer is a thin plate (typically disk-shaped, but sometimes square) with a hole (typically in the middle) that is normally used to distribute the load of a threaded fastener, such as a bolt or nut. Other uses are as a spacer, spring (Belleville washer, wave washer), wear pad, preload indicating device, locking device, and to reduce vibration (rubber washer). Spring washers, which have axial flexibility are used to prevent fastening or loosening due to vibrations. Locking (lock) washers prevent fastening or loosening by preventing unscrewing rotation of the fastening device.