The right hose or tubing helps keep coolant moving where it needs to go without creating flow restrictions, compatibility issues, or leak risks. For data center liquid cooling systems, the best option depends on your coolant type, hose diameter, pressure requirements, temperature exposure, routing space, and connection type.
Use this guide to compare our hose and tubing options for data center cooling loops, including lines for server racks, manifolds, coolant distribution units (CDUs), jumper connections, and larger infrastructure runs.
Before choosing hose or tubing, check these details against your system requirements:
Hose size affects flow, pressure drop, and how easily the line can be routed. In general, smaller hose diameters are used closer to racks and equipment, while larger diameters are used for distribution and supply lines.
Smaller diameter hose such as 7/32", 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" is commonly used where space is tight. These sizes are useful for rack-level cooling lines, internal routing, and low-clearance areas where the hose needs to bend without kinking.
Good fit:Gates Data Master Cooling Hose
Mid-range hose sizes such as 3/4" and 1" are often used for localized distribution within rack enclosures, manifolds, and equipment connection points.
Good fit:Gates Data Master, Continental ContiTech FlexCool Jumper/DataGuard, depending on the coolant, pressure, and compliance requirements.
Larger lines such as 1 1/2", 2", 3", and 4" are used for higher-volume coolant movement between CDUs, row-level systems, headers, and larger infrastructure connections.
Good fit:Tudertechnica Turad HPC, Continental ContiTech DataGuard, JME Stainless Steel Braided Hose Assemblies, depending on whether the application calls for hose-only, suction/delivery hose, or a finished assembly.
Coolant compatibility is one of the most important buying factors. The hose tube needs to work with the fluid moving through the system. If the material isn’t compatible, the hose can degrade, shed particles, leach compounds, or create contamination issues that may affect sensitive components such as micro-channel cold plates.
EPDM and EPM hose materials are commonly used for water and water-glycol cooling applications. They can be a good fit for data center cooling when the product’s specifications match the coolant chemistry, pressure, temperature, and cleanliness requirements. For many data center liquid cooling applications, peroxide-cured EPDM or EPM is preferred because it can support coolant compatibility and help reduce contamination concerns compared with less specialized hose materials.
Options to compare:
If your system uses a dielectric cooling fluid, don’t assume every liquid cooling hose is compatible. Dielectric fluids are used in specialized liquid cooling applications and can have different material requirements than treated water or water-glycol mixtures. The hose tube, cover, seals, fittings, and any other wetted materials should be checked against both the hose manufacturer’s specifications and the coolant supplier’s compatibility guidance.
This is especially important for immersion cooling or other systems where the fluid may interact with a wider range of elastomers, plastics, and metals. When in doubt, confirm the exact fluid chemistry and approved materials before selecting hose or tubing.
Hot-aisle containment can raise the ambient temperature around cooling components. That doesn’t automatically mean every line needs the highest-spec hose available, but you should definitely consider a hose’s temperature rating and long-term heat aging before buying.
For higher-heat areas, look for hose with:
Cooling loops depend on consistent flow and clean fluid. Hose selection can affect long-term maintenance if the tube material isn’t compatible with the coolant or if the inner surface contributes to contamination, buildup, or flow restriction. Peroxide-cured EPDM or EPM tube construction can be an important spec when the goal is to limit coolant contamination and protect sensitive components over time.
For systems where coolant cleanliness is especially important, pay close attention to:
Some data center environments have specific flame-rating requirements for hose used in white space or near critical equipment. These may come from facility standards, local fire codes, insurance requirements, or project specifications, so confirm the required rating before ordering.
Two common UL 94 ratings to know:
A hose is only as useful as its connection points. Make sure the end type matches the system layout, maintenance needs, and leak-prevention requirements.
Hose-only products are helpful when the installation requires custom lengths, field routing, or separate fittings and couplings. These can be a good fit when the final connection type is already specified by the system design. Hose-only products can also support systems where separate fittings, couplings, or quick-disconnect connections are specified for easier maintenance or component swaps.
Common options:Gates Data Master, Tudertechnica Turad HPC, Continental ContiTech DataGuard/FlexCool, Kuriyama T202AA
NPT threaded ends are commonly used for more fixed connections, including some manifold and infrastructure setups. They can be a good choice when the system calls for a secure, semi-permanent threaded connection.
Common option:JME Stainless Steel Braided Hose Assemblies with NPT ends
Flanged ends are often used on larger infrastructure connections where the system requires a bolted flange interface. They help distribute sealing pressure across larger connection points.
Common option:JME Stainless Steel Braided Hose Assemblies with 150# flanged ends
Tri-clamp connections can be useful when the system design calls for quick assembly and disassembly with a clean, secure connection style.
Common option:Tudertechnica Turad HPC assemblies with stainless steel tri-clamp ends
These notes will help narrow the list, but your final choice should still be checked against your coolant chemistry, hose size, pressure rating, temperature exposure, routing space, and required end connections.
Best for smaller rack-level coolant lines, internal routing, and low-clearance areas when flexibility and fractional sizing are important. Features zinc-free, peroxide-cured EPDM tube construction.
Best for flexible jumper connections in data center cooling systems when the line needs to route between components without unnecessary strain. Made with a peroxide-cured EPDM tube.
Best for larger data center cooling lines, flame-rating requirements, and applications where coolant cleanliness and hose construction are important selection factors. Features peroxide-cured EPDM tube construction.
Best for larger data center cooling hose applications involving heat exchange, suction, and delivery when the system calls for EPM construction compatible with PG25 or deionized water-glycol coolant mixes. Made with a white peroxide-cured EPM tube.
Best for larger infrastructure runs, CDU supply lines, headers, and applications where a finished heavy-duty assembly is needed.
Best for secondary water transfer or non-white-space applications where a general-purpose EPDM water hose meets the system requirements.
JME specializes in fluid handling products, not every industrial supply category under the sun. When you call, you can talk to someone who understands hose selection and can help you compare options based on coolant type, flow needs, pressure rating, temperature exposure, routing space, flame-rating requirements, and end connections.
Call JME’s knowledgeable fluid handling team at 1 (800) 333-3331 or contact us online. We can help you compare liquid cooling hose options and answer any questions you may have.
