Zinc whiskers are tiny metallic filaments that can form on surfaces coated with zinc and pose a risk of electrical malfunctions or short circuits in data centres.
In this article, we will look at:
During the zinc plating process, zinc is subjected to strong pressure so that it adheres properly to the surface of the material. However, this pressure generates internal stresses in the coating, which can be caused by methods such as galvanising, electroplating or even by variations in temperature and mechanical stresses. Over time, these stresses are released, leading to the formation of tiny crystalline zinc filaments.
The presence of zinc whiskers in data centres poses a significant risk to the integrity and performance of electronic equipment. These microscopic filaments can detach from galvanised surfaces and, being electrically conductive, can cause problems ranging from minor interference to critical system failures such as short circuits that compromise the operation of servers, storage systems and communication networks.
Zinc whiskers may be small, but they can become problematic when:
The highest risk of zinc whiskers comes from products with electroplated zinc coatings, so these should always be avoided. Alternative finishes that are unlikely to result in the growth of zinc whiskers include hot-dip galvanisation (HDG), Walraven’s BIS UltraProtect® 1000 (BUP 1000) products, and stainless steel.
Hot-dip galvanised products are widely used in data centre projects. Although hot-dip galvanising involves dipping steel into molten zinc, it creates a thick, durable coating bonded to the steel, which is unlikely to result in the growth of zinc whiskers.
Walraven offers BUP 1000 as a standard finish (instead of HDG) on many fixings, including strut channel and pipe clamps. This is because it offers several benefits over a hot-dip galvanised finish. Walraven BIS UltraProtect® 1000 combines zinc, aluminium, and magnesium to provide a sturdy, durable product that is extremely stable and resistant to scratches and damage. Walraven BIS UltraProtect® 1000 finish is:
Read more about the advantages of Walraven BIS UltraProtect® 1000 here, or if you have any specific questions about Walraven BIS UltraProtect® 1000, contact one of our team.
Stainless steel is the gold standard solution that offers maximum durability and will not be susceptible to zinc whisker formation, but it can be the more expensive option. Walraven offers a full range of stainless steel solutions if this is the route for your project.
In summary, we can offer:
Find out more about how to deliver effective data centre installations by following the link below.
More about data centre installations
If you have any questions, please get in touch with our technical team.
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