leak
Sign in to saveAlso known as leakage, leaking, drip, dripping
A leak is a way (usually an opening) for fluid to escape a container or fluid-containing system, such as a tank or a ship's hull, through which the contents of the container can escape or outside matter can enter the container. Leaks are usually unintended and therefore undesired. The word leak usually refers to a gradual loss; a sudden loss is usually called a spill.
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Encyclopedic overview
6 sectionsContents
- Types
- Causes
- Testing
- Corrective action
- See also
- References
A leak is a way (usually an opening) for fluid to escape a container or fluid-containing system, such as a tank or a ship's hull, through which the contents of the container can escape or outside matter can enter the container. Leaks are usually unintended and therefore undesired. The word leak usually refers to a gradual loss; a sudden loss is usually called a spill.
The matter leaking in or out can be gas, liquid, a highly viscous paste, or even a fluidized solid such as a powdered or granular solid or other solid particles.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “leak” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.