Zinc whiskers are tiny hairs of zinc which form on electroplated metal surfaces. They can grow to several millimetres in length and a few microns in diameter. The exact reason why they develop on some metal surfaces and not on others is unclear, but potential causes have been linked to surface stress from the electroplating process or from mechanical and thermal effects.
Any zinc-coated surface can be affected. In the past, most cases found had occurred on raised access floor tiles, but now most cases of zinc whiskers in data centres are found on other surfaces, overhead cable trays, tray covers and brackets.
When zinc whiskers are disturbed by bumping a bracket or lifting a floor tile, they can break off. Due to their small size, the whiskers can easily become airborne and spread throughout the data centre. When these metallic particles are drawn into equipment, they could cause short circuits, voltage variances, and data corruption. An increase in power supply failures is a frequently seen consequence.
The issue of zinc whiskers is directly caused be electroplated zinc (zinc plated). It is therefore wise to remove all products that have this form of zinc coating from a data centres and all computer rooms.
Any zinc-coated surface can be affected. In the past, most cases found had occurred on raised access floor tiles, but now most cases of zinc whiskers in data centres are found on other surfaces, overhead cable trays, tray covers and brackets.
When zinc whiskers are disturbed by bumping a bracket or lifting a floor tile, they can break off. Due to their small size, the whiskers can easily become airborne and spread throughout the data centre. When these metallic particles are drawn into equipment, they could cause short circuits, voltage variances, and data corruption. An increase in power supply failures is a frequently seen consequence.
The issue of zinc whiskers is directly caused be electroplated zinc (zinc plated). It is therefore wise to remove all products that have this form of zinc coating from a data centres and all computer rooms.
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