a mechanical face seal has a first seal face member mounted in fixed rotational and radial relationship to one component and sealed with respect thereto ; abutment means mounted in fixed rotational and radial relationship to a second component and sealed with respect thereto ; and a second seal face member interposed between the first seal face member and the abutment means . spring means is arranged to apply an axial load between the first and second seal face members , said second seal face member having opposed faces , one of said faces being maintained in sealing engagement with a corresponding face on the first seal face member under the axial load applied by the spring means and the other face being sealed with respect to a corresponding face on said abutment means . means is provided to interconnect said second seal face member rotationally with respect to said abutment means while permitting limited radial movement therebetween and one of said faces of the second seal face member and the corresponding face of the first seal face member or abutment means is inclined to the axis of the seal , so as to impose a radial load on the second face member . two such seal assemblies may be provided co - axially of one another to provide a double seal .