Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
M0597-3-AL RAF	8MM RD X 8MM X 3.2MM ID	235
M1360-4007-AL RAF	8MM HEX X 13MM X M4 THD	1500
4536-440-N RAF	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 NYLON 5/8"	1400
4531-440-AL RAF	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 ALUM 5/16"	1493
CBMFTS160A Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 NYLON 3/4"	3066
13RS100020 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .187 ID, .990 OD,	1000
971250485 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	146
2098T-632-SS RAF	1/4_HEX_FEMALE_STANDOFFS	1154
13RSSR0206 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .315 ID, .750 OD,	2000
4566-632-S-12 RAF	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 STEEL 3"	124
971050354 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	4517
NTS-12 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX STANDOFF M3 NYLON 1/2"	3467
2110-632-N RAF	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 NYLON 7/8"	389
M1413-4007-AL RAF	10MM HEX X 16MM X M4 THD	400
M2162-4007-AL RAF	6MM HEX X 31MM X M4 THD	985
973500485 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC INTER	400
13RSSR0194 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .252 ID, .625 OD,	1000
M0541-4-AL RAF	6MM RD X 12MM X 4.3MM ID	323
1159-10-B-12 RAF	5/16 RD X 1/2 X .192 ID	290
M0501-3-N RAF	4.5MM RD X 2MM X 3.2MM ID	870

Board Spacers, Standoffs

1. Overview

Board spacers and standoffs are specialized hardware components used to create controlled spacing between printed circuit boards (PCBs), panels, or structural elements. They provide mechanical support, electrical isolation, and thermal management in electronic assemblies. Their importance in modern technology includes enabling compact designs, reducing vibration stress, and improving heat dissipation in devices ranging from smartphones to industrial control systems.

2. Main Types & Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Cylindrical Spacers	Simple tubular design with uniform diameter	PCB layer separation in consumer electronics
Hexagonal Standoffs	6-sided structure for wrench tightening	Industrial equipment panel mounting
Self-clinching Standoffs	Permanent installation with threaded compression	Sheet metal enclosures in servers
Adjustable Spacers	Variable length through threaded adjustment	Prototype development and testing
Insulated Spacers	Non-conductive materials for electrical isolation	High-voltage power supply assemblies

3. Structure & Composition

Typical construction includes:

Material: Stainless steel (corrosion resistance), aluminum (lightweight), or nylon (insulation)
Geometry: Cylindrical (standard), stepped (for multiple board heights), or flanged (for load distribution)
Installation Features: Internal threading (male/female), knurled surfaces (for grip), or press-fit tabs
Surface Treatment: Passivation (metal), UV resistance (plastics), or EMI shielding coating

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Importance
Material Hardness (HV)	Determines wear resistance and load capacity
Thread Engagement Length	Affects vibration resistance in dynamic environments
Thermal Conductivity (W/m K)	Critical for heat dissipation in power electronics
Dielectric Strength (kV/mm)	Safety factor in high-voltage applications
Installation Torque Rating	Prevents over-tightening damage to PCBs

5. Application Fields

Primary industries include:

Electronics Manufacturing: Server racks, LED displays
Automotive: Engine control units (ECUs), ADAS systems
Aerospace: Satellite PCB mounting, avionics enclosures
Medical Devices: MRI scanner internal structures
Consumer Electronics: Smartphone PCB stacking

6. Leading Manufacturers & Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product
PEM	S-8900 Series self-clinching standoffs
RS Components	486-8826 insulated hexagonal spacers
Mouser Electronics	925206-12 adjustable PCB spacers
McMaster-Carr	91285A102 stainless steel standoffs

7. Selection Recommendations

Evaluate mechanical load requirements vs material strength
Match thread type (UNC/UNF/Metric) with assembly hardware
Consider CTE (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) compatibility with PCB materials
Select insulated variants for >50V circuits
Use vibration-damping coatings in mobile applications

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments include:

Miniaturization: Sub-1mm spacers for wearable devices
Material Innovation: Conductive polymer composites for EMI shielding
Smart Integration: Standoffs with embedded strain gauges for structural monitoring
Automated Installation: Self-aligning designs for robotic assembly lines
Sustainability: Biodegradable plastic options (PLA-based) entering mainstream production