The effect of face loading, surface roughness and material properties on the static sealing performance of mechanical face seals is analyzed. The analysis combines the problems of contact and flow between two rough surfaces. The results are compared with available experimental data and are found to be reasonable. Based on many numerical results, a simple empirical expression is derived which enables easy and quick evaluation of the effect of the various parameters on seal performance.Presented at the 48th Annual Meeting in Calgary, Alberta, Canada May 17–20, 1993