The Emerging Role of Stainless Steel in Data Center Liquid Cooling Systems
Liquid cooling is quickly becoming the preferred and primary method for managing the heat generated from the high-powered CPU and GPU chips utilized in Artificial Intelligence servers across the expanding footprint of both hyperscale and colocation data centers. As cooling for data centers migrates from air cooling to liquid cooling to manage the increasing heat generated, copper and brass are being replaced with stainless steel in many liquid cooling system designs. Stainless steel has become the material of choice for many liquid cooling system components based on its hygienic properties, compatibility with a wide range of coolants, durability, and cost.
Stainless steel is now being specified for a number of data center liquid cooling system components used in Coolant Distribution Units (CDU’s), in-row manifolds, and in-rack manifolds across a variety of direct cooling designs, including Direct-to-Chip (D2C) and Immersion systems. Beyond the coolant, sensors, and controls used in liquid cooling systems, key stainless steel components and their usage include:
Tubing: Corrosion-resistant and hygienic stainless steel tubing for carrying and distributing coolant. While 316 stainless steel is often preferred, 304 is occasionally considered given its lower cost. Most CDU and manifold designs require custom fabrication of tubing to minimize space within the cramped quarters of a CDU, server rack, or data center in general.
Fittings and Connectors: Similar to tubing, stainless steel fittings and connectors ensure leak-proof connections between components along with the ability to withstand high-pressure and high-temperature applications.
Control Valves: Stainless steel valves are used for controlling the flow of coolant within the system.
Filters and Strainers: Stainless steel strainers and filters are often incorporated to remove contaminants and maintain performance of the cooling system.
Pumps: Stainless steel pumps are used to circulate the coolant throughout the system.
When designing a stainless steel liquid cooling system for data centers, it's essential to consider factors such as thermal efficiency, scalability, maintenance requirements, and compatibility with existing infrastructure. Additionally, adherence to industry standards and guidelines ensures the system operates safely and reliably over its lifecycle.
Contact the Steel & O’Brien team at sales@steelobrien.com to discuss the specific requirements for your system and how our expertise in stainless steel flow components and custom fabrication can be of service. Click here to learn more about the Data Center Cooling market and our stainless steel capabilities.