What component is typically used to prevent fluid leakage from a stuffing box?

The component typically used to prevent fluid leakage from a stuffing box is indeed a flinger. A flinger is designed to be positioned on rotating shafts, such as in pumps or turbines, where it serves to direct the fluid away from the stuffing box area and reduce the risk of leakage. By utilizing centrifugal force, the flinger effectively pushes fluid away from the shaft and can prevent it from escaping through the packing around the shaft.

In many applications, especially those that involve rotating machinery, maintaining a proper seal within the stuffing box is critical to ensure efficient operation while also preventing contamination of fluids being handled.

While gaskets, O-rings, and retaining rings serve essential sealing functions in various contexts, they do not perform the specific role that a flinger does in terms of actively directing fluid flow in a stuffing box environment. Gaskets and O-rings are generally used for static seals between two surfaces, while retaining rings help to hold components in place but do not directly address fluid leakage in the same manner as a flinger.