Abstract:By summarizing the previous experimental study of reciprocating seals,five variables that are the most concerned in the research of reciprocating seals were pointed out,such as contact pressure,contact area width,contact film thickness,seal friction,leakage rate and so on.The methods used by the researchers to measure these five variables were introduced,such as photoelastic method,transparent axis method,capacitance method,pressure sensors method,barometry and so on.