Tubing Selection for Sealed-for-Life Liquid Cooling Units for Electronics

Sealed for life, closed loop, liquid cooling units are the next step in the evolution of chip cooling for desktop computers. This application requires that sufficient coolant fluid be circulating through the unit over its entire life span. Evaporative losses will account for the majority of fluid loss over time. The ideal tubing solution needs to be flexible, nonflammable, and have a permeation rate that will ensure a sufficient fluid level for the target life of the computer. The development of a tubing solution has led to the use of fluorinated ethylene propylene, FEP, for the tubing material. The unique molecular properties of this copolymer have proven capable of providing the high level of water permeation resistance required for sealed cooling units. This tubing has been validated for providing the low level of evaporative coolant loss necessary to support a minimum 7 year system life. FEP is rated as nonflammable (UL 94 V-0) and has a limiting oxygen index greater than 95. The high strength bonds in the FEP molecule also give it excellent chemical, UV, and ozone resistance