with cross section 320 except that there is no coating 100 except for upper surface 10 cross section 350 is substantially identical to cross section 320 except that it has an upper surface 355 which does not end vertically but instead has inner and outer surfaces 356 357 which join with angular surfaces 358 359 respectively to form the edges of upper surface 355 while in the description given above and as depicted in the drawings the seals or packings have been described with particular reference to annular members such as a packing it is to be understood that the invention is not so limited thus it is not necessary that the generally non metallic coating 100 or the knit wire mesh reinforcement 50 be annular in configuration depending on the type of usage to which the seal or packing is put the shape can have virtually any configuration for example the shape may be elliptical square hexagonal or virtually any other shape whatever its shape the seal 5 would be provided with the two portions for its body in general and except in the case of an elongate strip type packing material the seal 5 will generally have an opening or passageway therethrough which usually is at least partially defined by at least a portion of the body of the seal 5 sealing being effected in the region generally contiguous in surrounding the opening thus a sealing device having a non annular configuration could be used as a seal between.