Patent attributes
A sliding component is characterized in that, on one sealing face of a pair of sliding parts that slide relative to each other, multiple positive pressure-generating mechanisms that include extremely shallow parallel grooves running roughly in parallel with the sealing face and having submicron-level height differences are provided independently in the circumferential direction, and that extremely shallow thin grooves are formed on the sealing face on the low-pressure fluid side of the extremely shallow parallel grooves, wherein the extremely shallow parallel grooves communicate with the high-pressure fluid side, and the extremely shallow thin grooves communicate with the extremely shallow parallel grooves, but are isolated from the low-pressure fluid side by a seal area, thereby reducing a leakage rate of sealed fluid and significantly improving lubrication characteristics at startup or stop at the same time.