Component Mechanical Seal --- Rock Metal Seal have managed to successfully install thousands of seals worldwide. Component mechanical seals are composed of separate rotary and stationary parts. Unlike cartridge seals, component seals are not pre-assembled and require skilled technicians to install them. Incorrect installation of seal faces, O-rings, and seal axial setting on the pump shaft will result in reduced seal life or in some cases, immediate seal failure. Advantages of Component Mechanical Seals Reduced expenses on initial seal purchase Reduced spares costs as the individual components can be stocked vs. the entire seal Superior adaptability to very small pumps Disadvantages of Component Mechanical Seals The major disadvantage for component mechanical seals are their susceptibility to damage. Component mechanical seals usually have exposed parts that are more susceptible to damage during transportation or installation. Further, component seals require precise measurements during installation to prevent seal failure. Properly installing this type of seal requires more operator time and thus a higher cost to install or re-install after a repair.