Zinc Whiskers: What They Are and How to Find Them

Zinc whiskers are microscopic, hair-like filaments of metallic zinc that grow slowly from some electroplated zinc coatings. They are only a few micrometres thick but can grow to a millimetre or more in length — and because they are metal, they conduct electricity.

Why they matter

As long as whiskers stay attached, they cause no harm. The problem starts when they are disturbed — by lifting floor tiles, running cables or moving equipment. Loose whiskers are carried by the cooling airflow into equipment, where they can bridge closely spaced conductors and cause intermittent faults or short circuits that are very hard to diagnose.

Where to look

• The undersides of older raised-floor tiles with electroplated steel bottoms
• Floor pedestals and stringers
• Ceiling grid, hangers and some cable tray hardware
• Any electroplated steel in the airflow path, especially in older facilities

How they are found

Whiskers are easiest to see with a bright flashlight held at a low angle across the surface, which makes them glint. A magnifier confirms what you are looking at. An inspection samples components across the floor so that the extent of the problem can be mapped and scoped.

What remediation involves

The permanent fix is to replace the affected components with ones that do not grow whiskers. Cleaning still has a role: it removes loose whiskers from the subfloor and surfaces, using HEPA or ULPA vacuums and controlled methods that capture them rather than blow them into the air. Particle counts after the work confirm the room is back in range.