Why LayerZero Offers Stainless Steel Hardware: Protection Against Zinc Contamination

LayerZero Power Systems offers stainless steel hardware as an option on all of our power distribution equipment, helping protect critical electronic components from corrosion and microscopic contamination.

What Causes Zinc Contamination?

Galvanized metal hardware, such as nuts, bolts, washers, and screws, is commonly used to protect metal structures and electronic components from corrosion and rusting. However, these zinc-coated components can sometimes develop microscopic metallic filaments known as "Zinc whiskers." These filaments are extremely thin, 10 to 100 times thinner than a human hair follicle, and can grow to several millimeters in length. Transformer vibrations and airflow from cooling systems can break off these delicate structures, causing the whiskers to be airborne. The microscopic size of Zinc Whiskers allows them to bypass filters and fans, reaching critical systems like servers and power supplies. These filaments act like wires due to zinc’s conductivity and can be electro-charged by the electroplating process. Because of this, when the Zinc Whiskers contact hardware they can connect or interfere with currents and have variable effects, ranging from short circuits, disrupted signals, to full system failures.

How does Stainless Steel Hardware Prevent Zinc Whiskers?

Stainless Steel is very resistant to rusting and corrosion due to its unique chemical composition. This eliminates the need for a zinc coating, and without zinc, there’s no risk of whiskers forming - eliminating this type of contamination at the source. We offer stainless steel hardware as an option across all product lines to protect your equipment against microscopic contamination for maximum long-term system reliability.  

Contact us today to learn more about our stainless steel hardware options and how they can help ensure the reliability and safety of your power distribution equipment!