Why Plastics Are Ideal for Data Center Aisle Containment Systems

What is Data Center Aisle Containment?

Data center aisle containment is a critical thermal management strategy that uses physical barriers to separate cold air from hot exhaust air. By isolating hot and cold aisles (typically generated by high-powered servers, networking gear, and other IT infrastructure), data centers can maintain a stable temperature and humidity environment, ensuring maximum performance and uptime.

Aisle containment not only protects vital IT systems and data storage equipment, it also significantly reduces cooling costs, helping facilities operate more sustainably and reliably.

Why Use High-Performance Plastics for Aisle Containment?

Choosing high-performance plastics for your data center aisle containment systems delivers a wide range of operational and financial benefits:

• Reduced Energy Costs: Plastics form durable, airtight barriers that prevent unwanted heat transfer. This means your HVAC systems don’t work overtime to keep servers cool, reducing data center cooling costs, lowering energy bills, and decreasing your carbon footprint.

• Complete Design Flexibility: Unlike rigid metal or glass, data center plastics can be easily cut, thermoformed, and fabricated to fit any unique aisle configuration. With no constraints on design, you can adapt to existing infrastructure without expensive overhauls.

• Excellent Optical Clarity: Many plastic barriers for data centers offer clear visibility, allowing operators and technicians to easily inspect IT racks and components without removing panels or opening doors.

• Superior Physical and Thermal Protection: Impact resistance, flame retardancy, and thermal insulation help shield critical IT assets from accidental damage, heat exposure, and smoke, all of which minimizes downtime and extends equipment life.

• Readily Available Stock: Piedmont Plastics maintains extensive inventories across our many North American distribution facilities, enabling faster delivery of cut-to-size panels and reducing project lead times.

Types of Plastic Used In Data Center Aisle Containment

Multi-Wall Polycarbonate Panels

Because of its high impact strength and lightweight construction, multi-wall polycarbonate is an ideal choice for aisle partitions and ceiling panels. Its unique layered structure improves thermal insulation and reduces heat transfer. Custom-cut polycarbonate panels also offer visual privacy with diffused light transmission while maintaining dimensional stability even at elevated temperatures. Polycarbonate aisle containment meets critical standards such as ASTM E84 Class A for smoke and flame in common 6 mm and 8 mm configurations.

Monolithic and Fire-Resistant Polycarbonate

Virtually unbreakable solid polycarbonate sheets provide crystal-clear visibility for monitoring equipment. With built-in fire resistance, these flame-resistant plastics are lightweight and easy to fabricate for any custom layout.

Clear PVC Panels

Clear PVC panels for data centers combine high optical clarity with excellent impact resistance, chemical resistance, and flame retardancy. Data center containment panels are often used where visibility is key and lightweight durability is needed.

Electrical Insulators: GPO-3 and Röchling® Elastic Materials

Many data centers also require robust electrical insulation solutions within containment or for equipment separation. Piedmont Plastics is a full-line distributor of GPO-3 from Röchling®, offering sheet, rod, profiles, and custom-machined parts. GPO-3 delivers exceptional electrical and mechanical strength, flame resistance, and thermal stability, which is perfect for isolating electrical systems and minimizing fire risks.

Other Specialty Plastics

Options like polypropylene and custom-engineered thermoplastics are available based on your facility’s unique airflow, budget, or compliance requirements.

How to Choose the Right Material for Your Data Center Containment System

When designing or retrofitting your data center aisle containment system, consider compliance and safety standards to ensure your materials meet key industry regulations such as ASTM E84 Class A for flame and smoke. Additionally, you'll want to consider visual and operational needs. Decide if your facility needs clear sightlines (monolithic polycarbonate or PVC) or enhanced privacy (multi-wall polycarbonate).

Electrical insulation requirements are also a consideration. For data centers with dense power systems, GPO-3 or other specialized insulators can protect sensitive circuits and infrastructure. Regarding layout and integration, you'll want to optimize around your existing server racks and HVAC systems without costly rebuilds. For these purposes, plastics can be precisely cut and thermoformed to your dimensions.

Why Trust Piedmont Plastics for Your Data Center Material Needs?

Piedmont Plastics isn’t just a distributor. We’re a technical partner to the data center and IT industries, with over a decade of experience helping clients overcome containment challenges.

Our dedicated Industrial Market Specialist Team works alongside our local branches and your engineering staff to recommend the best materials for your project, improving performance while reducing costs. We maintain deep relationships with top global manufacturers, ensuring you receive compliant, high-quality materials that meet or exceed all thermal and smoke safety standards.

With numerous locations across North America, we can deliver cut-to-size panels, finished GPO-3 electrical insulation parts, and complete containment solutions faster than anyone in the industry. Work with Piedmont Plastics to build a containment solution that delivers maximum uptime, energy savings, and peace of mind.