Contact pressure: At a seal interface a part of the force needed for equilibrium is supplied by fluid pressure and a part by contact pressure. Elastomer(ic): A material having the property of recovery of shape after deformation; rubberlike materials. Ferrofluid: A liquid containing a suspension of magnetic particles. Preload: The clamping load before pressure is applied. Sealing clearance: The effective gap between two surfaces. Self-energized: The preload is supplied by the elastic behavior of the material itself. References American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 1980.Code for Pressure Vessels, Section VIII, Div 1. ASME, New York. Lebeck, A. O. 1991. Principles and Design of Mechanical Face Seals. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Parker Hannifin Corporation. 1990. Parker O-Ring Handbook. Parker Hannifin Corporation. Cleveland, OH. Further Information Brink, R. V., Czernik, D. E., and Horve, L. A. 1993.Handbook of Fluid Sealing. McGraw-Hill, New York. Buchter, H. H. 1979. Industrial Sealing Technology. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Kaydon Ring & Seals, Inc. 1987. Engineer's HandbookPiston Rings, Seal Rings, Mechanical Shaft Seals. Kaydon Rings & Seals, Inc. Baltimore, MD. Warring, R. H. 1981. Seals and Sealing Handbook. Gulf, Houston, TX. © 1998 by CRC PRESS LLC . Contact pressure: At a seal interface a part of the force needed for equilibrium is supplied by fluid pressure and a part by contact pressure. Elastomer(ic): A material having. 1991. Principles and Design of Mechanical Face Seals. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Parker Hannifin Corporation. 1990. Parker O-Ring Handbook. Parker Hannifin Corporation. Cleveland, OH. Further. 1987. Engineer's HandbookPiston Rings, Seal Rings, Mechanical Shaft Seals. Kaydon Rings & Seals, Inc. Baltimore, MD. Warring, R. H. 1981. Seals and Sealing Handbook. Gulf, Houston,