Dongkuk CM Develops Color-Coated Steel Sheet to Tackle Condensation in AI Data Centers

Condensation-delay performance 10 times that of existing products
Also offers vibration damping and mold inhibition
Targets industrial markets, including data centers and livestock facilities

Dongkuk CM, a Dongkuk Steel Group company specializing in galvanized and color-coated steel sheets, has launched a color-coated steel sheet that delays condensation and prevents vibration and mold.

Photo of Dongkuk CM's new product, "DK Shield." Dongkuk CM

Dongkuk CM said on November 12 that it had developed DK Shield, a high-performance color-coated steel sheet that combines condensation delay, vibration damping and anti-mold properties. The product uses a special functional coating and multiple layers of coating technology.

Condensation on metal surfaces is a persistent challenge in managing industrial facilities. It can cause corrosion and mold, reduce the insulation performance of electrical equipment and lead to safety accidents.

In tests conducted by the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR), DK Shield’s condensation-delay performance was 10 times that of existing products. The company identified AI data centers as a key target market. Data centers, which consume large amounts of electricity, need large HVAC systems and switchboards. Temperature differences between indoor and outdoor environments make condensation likely around air-conditioning units and cable ducts. If water droplets accumulate in one area, they can lead to corrosion, contamination and equipment failures.

Its vibration-damping performance was about twice that of existing products. In an evaluation by the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), the loss factor, which indicates the degree to which vibration energy is absorbed, was 1.12% for standard products and 2.13% for DK Shield. The product is suitable for industrial facilities with vibration-sensitive equipment. The company also obtained a KS test report for its vibration-damping performance.

Its mold-inhibiting properties were verified through an accredited test report based on the international testing standard ASTM D5590. The product can also be used in industrial buildings and livestock facilities where hygiene management is important.

Dongkuk CM designed the coating structure to let customers choose the functions they need. It is also considering using the product as a material for automotive interiors and parts, making use of its vibration-damping properties. The company plans to develop DK Shield into a differentiated industrial product, find new customers and expand the range of its applications.

“We expect this product, which is specialized for HVAC ducts in AI data centers where condensation and vibration control are important, to be used in a variety of industrial facilities going forward,” said Choi Woochan, head of Dongkuk CM’s research center. “We will expand the market for high-value-added color-coated steel sheets with differentiated products optimized for our customers’ operating environments.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.