By Shawn Erie, National Product Line Manager - Metal Hose and Expansion Joints and Joseph Gilliland, Emerging Market Product Line Manager, TIPCO Technologies
The Role of Metal Hoses in Advanced Data Cooling Systems
Data centers serve as the backbone of nearly every industry. From powering cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and critical operations globally around the clock, data centers provide uninterrupted performance. The requirement for robust infrastructure has never been more evident than in the cooling and fluid-handling systems that keep servers running efficiently. Metal hose assemblies play a critical role in data center infrastructure and reliability. Offering flexibility, strength, and safety--metal hose assemblies help operators maintain optimal temperatures, manage fluid transfer, and protect sensitive equipment.
Applications in Data Centers
Liquid Cooling Loops: Data centers commonly employ chilled-water loops to extract heat from server racks. Traditional rigid pipe can’t accommodate building settlement, thermal expansion, or vibration from pumps and chillers. Corrugated and braided stainless steel metal hose assemblies and metallic expansion joints can absorb these movements without transferring stress to critical equipment. This flexibility minimizes joint failures and reduces maintenance costs and possible downtime over the facility’s lifespan.
Direct Liquid Contact: Emerging cooling architectures may also rely on direct liquid contact for thermal management. Metal hose assemblies provide reliable, leak-resistant connections necessary for these systems, ensuring coolants are delivered precisely where needed. High-pressure ratings and temperature tolerances make metal hose assemblies a great choice for advanced cooling loops that operate at elevated pressures or below-freezing temperatures.
Secondary Cooling: Beyond cooling loops, data centers often require fluid transfer for secondary cooling circuits, heat recovery systems, or process cooling water. Metal hose assemblies resist permeation, corrosion, and chemical degradation exceptionally which preserves coolant purity and prevents contaminants that can foul heat exchangers or possibly clog microchannels in direct-cooling plates.
Benefits of Metal Hoses
Durability and Longevity: Pump starts, stops, and sudden load changes can produce pressure spikes or water hammer. Metal hose assemblies, with their corrugated cores and flexible capabilities can dampen pressure surges, protect valves, fittings, and downstream equipment. This surge absorption helps to reduce the risk of catastrophic burst failures that could lead to downtime or equipment damage.
Heat and Temperature Resistance: In the event of a fire or electrical fault metal hose assemblies maintain incredible structural integrity at higher temperatures as they allow fluid transfer or fire-suppression agents to continue uninterrupted. This resilience is critical when transferring fire-retardant chiller oil or distributing sprinkler water systems that must function under extreme conditions.
Vibration Absorption: Data centers located in seismic zones must comply with stringent building codes. Metal hose assemblies excel under dynamic load and can accommodate ground movement without fracture or leak. When properly anchored, the metal hose assemblies safeguard cooling and utility lines, which ensures that servers remain operational even during minor tremors.
Flexibility in Design: Stainless steel braid around a hose not only lends mechanical strength and flexibility, but it also provides a conductive layer that can shield sensitive cabling or conduits from electromagnetic interference (EMI). In high-density data halls, where power distribution and fiber optics coexist in tight spaces, EMI mitigation helps maintain network integrity and reduces data errors.
Material Selection and Best Practices
Corrugated Core: Offers maximum flexibility; suitable for complex routing scenarios.
Braid Reinforcement: Adds pressure and tensile strength; ideal for long spans or high-pressure circuits.
Lined vs. Unlined: PTFE or Metallic Liners can resist chemical attack and prevent particulate shedding; unlined hoses provide greater flow capacity when fluid compatibility isn’t a concern.
Installation Guidelines
· Proper Bend Radius: Respect the manufacturer’s minimum bend radius to avoid kinks or premature fatigue.
· Secure Anchoring: Use clamps or brackets at hose ends to isolate vibration and absorb axial thrust.
· Avoid Torsion: Ensure hoses aren’t twisted during installation, which can degrade braid integrity.
· Routine Inspection: Schedule periodic checks for abrasion, corrosion, torque, axial compression and overbending; replace assemblies showing wear.
Metal hose assemblies represent a time-tested solution that aligns with the traditional engineering values of durability, reliability, and simplicity. In data center environments, where cooling performance, fluid handling, and equipment safety are non-negotiable, metal hose assemblies can enable operators to build resilient infrastructure that stands the test of time. By selecting the right hose construction, adhering to installation best practices, and maintaining vigilant inspection routines, facility managers can ensure their data centers run cool, dry, and safe for years to come.
With five ASME Section IX certified fabrication facilities across the country (Virginia, New York, Oregon and two in Texas), TIPCO Technologies can provide custom fabricated and tested metal hose assemblies nationwide with precision and quality when and where our customers need it. Request a quote today!
