Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
4652-1032-SS RAF	3/8 HEX X 2-1/2 LENGTH	47
24485 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 SS 15MM	617
2104-440-AL-7 RAF	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 ALUMINUM 1/2"	2251
MFTS6-20-48 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 NYLON 1-1/4"	453
HTS6-4-48 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 NYLON 1/4"	966
R30-9400800 Harwin	HEX SPACER M3 PLASTIC 8MM	7065
13RS075076 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .320 ID, .750 OD,	1000
971150481 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 STEEL 15MM	300
971060154 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	3820
970210365 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	564
4532-632-S-12 RAF	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 STEEL 3/8"	568
24336 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M2.5X0.45 ALUM 25MM	8023400
13RS050016 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .265 ID, .500 OD,	4000
905-250 Califia Lighting (Bivar)	ROUND SPACER NYLON 1/4"	190
9641.6200 Schurter	HEX STANDOFF M4 NYLON 16MM	461500
13RS034008 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .281 ID, .343 OD,	3000
MSW1180A Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER M6 NYLON 1/8"	0
1621-2 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 BRASS 1/4"	3336
970600611 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M6 STEEL 60MM	348
NAS1831AC4C06 RAF	ALUMINUM 1/4 HEX FEMALE STANDOFF	500

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