Zinc whiskers are tiny crystalline structures of zinc that have been found to sometimes grow on the surface of electroplated steel. Electroplating is a commonly used method of galvanizing steel and has been used on a variety of steel products now present in data centers and other computer controlled environments. In recent years, whiskers have been found growing on electroplated components of computer hardware, cabinets and racks; as well as on some galvanized-pan access floor panels.

In some cases, the electrically conductive whiskers can break free, become airborne and be transported into the computer equipment - causing short circuits, voltage variances, and other signal disturbances.

The panel is then defined by the tolerances it is made to. There are two classes 1 and 2 , “1” being the best.

Therefore EN 12825 flooring Systems should be defined as following, example shows the strongest possible panel under EN 12825 Certification 6/A/3/2.

The two common methods of applying zinc to galvanize steel are electroplating and hot-dip galvanizing. It is the electroplating method that studies have shown is the reason behind the zinc whisker phenomenon. Since the discovery of the zinc whisker phenomenon over 50 years ago, zinc whisker formation has not been identified on any hot-dip galvanized steels.

Dowseng^® SteelCrete access floor panels are epoxy painted – not electro-galvanized.

Dowseng^® SteelCrete access floor understructure components are made of hot-dipped galvanized steels.