Data Center Liquid Cooling Stainless steel Components Manufacturer

The era of air cooling is effectively over for high-performance computing. With the latest AI chips (like the NVIDIA H100 and B200) pushing rack power densities well beyond 50kW—and potentially reaching 100kW soon—Direct-to-Chip (DTC) liquid cooling has transformed from a niche option to a critical necessity.

However, moving from air to liquid introduces a new set of anxieties for data center operators: leakage, corrosion, and flow blockage.

For decades, the standard industrial pipe supply chain has served general cooling needs. But at the hyperscale level, “standard” is no longer enough. To protect millions of dollars in server hardware, the data center industry is increasingly looking toward a surprising source for best practices: the pharmaceutical and food processing industries.

Here is why “Sanitary-Grade” stainless steel infrastructure is the future of reliable data center thermal management.

1. The Hidden Killer: Biofilm and Micro-Clogging
   In a liquid cooling loop, usually circulating a glycol/water mixture, the biggest enemy isn’t always a dramatic leak—it’s biofilm.

Standard industrial stainless steel tubing often has a microscopic surface roughness (Ra) of 3.0µm or higher. Under a microscope, these surfaces look like mountain ranges. These “valleys” are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria and algae, which form a slimy layer known as biofilm. Over time, this layer restricts fluid flow, increases pump energy consumption, and reduces heat transfer efficiency at the cold plate.

The Sanitary Solution: Drawing from our experience manufacturing valves for the dairy and pharmaceutical sectors, we apply Electropolishing technology to our data center manifolds and tubing.

We achieve a surface roughness of Ra < 0.4µm.

This creates a mirror-like interior surface where bacteria cannot attach.

The Result: A maintenance-free cooling loop that maintains optimal flow rates for years, without the risk of micro-clogging.

[Image Placeholder 1] Suggested Caption: Microscopic comparison: Standard Industrial Pipe internal surface (Left) vs. Our Electropolished Sanitary Tubing (Right).

2. 304 vs. 316L: Why Material Science Matters
   Not all stainless steel is created equal. While 304 stainless steel is common in general construction, 316L Stainless Steel is the gold standard for critical fluid handling—and it is the material we recommend for all data center manifolds.

Cooling fluids (especially glycol mixtures) can degrade and become slightly acidic over long operating cycles (5-10 years).

Corrosion Resistance: 316L contains Molybdenum, which drastically increases resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion compared to 304.

No Plastic Risks: Unlike plastic tubing, which can become brittle, crack, or permeate oxygen over time, rigid stainless steel tubing offers structural permanence. It is also non-combustible, a critical safety factor for data center fire suppression protocols.

3. Zero Leakage: Lessons from the Pharma Industry
   In a pharmaceutical plant, a leak means product contamination. In a data center, a leak means a short circuit and catastrophic hardware failure. The tolerance for error in both industries is exactly the same: Zero.

We utilize Orbital TIG Welding for our manifolds and rigid tubing assemblies. Unlike manual welding, orbital welding is automated and computer-controlled, creating a consistent, perfect weld seam that is stronger than the tube itself.

Furthermore, we advocate for the use of Sanitary Tri-Clamp connections (or similar flange systems) for main distribution lines.

Fast Installation: They can be assembled quickly without threading or sealing tape.

Reliability: They utilize a compressed gasket design that provides a superior seal compared to traditional NPT threads, which are prone to weeping leaks under vibration.

[Image Placeholder 2] Suggested Caption: Our Orbital Welding process ensures 100% leak-proof reliability for critical cooling infrastructure.

4. Meeting OCP Standards with Custom Manifolds
   The Open Compute Project (OCP) has set the global benchmark for open, efficient, and scalable data center hardware.

We specialize in manufacturing OCP-compliant stainless steel manifolds. Whether you are designing for a 21-inch Open Rack or a standard 19-inch rack, we provide:

Custom Port Spacing: Precision-extruded outlets (pulling tees) to match your specific Server/CDU connection points.

Quick Disconnect (UQD) Compatibility: Our manifolds are designed to integrate seamlessly with standard Blind Mate or Manual UQDs.

Rigorous Testing: Every single manifold undergoes Hydrostatic Pressure Testing and Helium Leak Detection before leaving our factory.

Conclusion
Your data center’s cooling infrastructure should not be the weak link in your AI operations. By adopting pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing standards—including 316L material, electropolishing, and orbital welding—you are not just buying tubes and valves; you are investing in long-term reliability and peace of mind.

Ready to upgrade your liquid cooling infrastructure? Our engineering team is ready to review your drawings and provide a DFM (Design for Manufacturing) analysis.

[more information: http://www.sansunstainless.com]