Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
CBMFTS330A Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX STANDOFF M3 NYLON 1-1/16"	2657
M2203-5008-SS RAF	8MM HEX X 34MM X M5 THD	323
2099-440-N RAF	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 NYLON 3/16"	1901
13RSSR0178 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .252 ID, .625 OD,	1000
SH1000-B Davies Molding, LLC.	HEX STANDOFF M3 NYLON 12MM	310
970130361 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 13MM	0
M1269-2545-AL RAF	HEX STANDOFF M2.5X0.45 ALUM 22MM	1244
NAS42DD6A-59A RAF	ALUMINUM UNTHREADED SPACER 1/4 R	0
4521-440-SS-20 RAF	3/16 HEX X 1-1/2 LENGTH	588
005373259914 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER #4 POLYSTYRENE 12MM	0
005258059905 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER #2 ACETAL 25MM	1989
HSM4-8-25-3 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX STANDOFF M4 NYLON 25MM	0
1192-6-B RAF	3_8-ROUND_SPACER	1255
M2107-2545-SS RAF	HEX STANDOFF M2.5X0.45 SS 12MM	0
3499D Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND STANDOFF #10-32 BRASS 3/4"	500
M2141-3005-SS RAF	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 SS 6MM	8869
M2207-4007-SS-20 RAF	8MM HEX X 46MM X M4 THD	39
R6395-02 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 19MM	3161
4531-440-S-12 RAF	1/4 HEX X 5/16 LENGTH	250
24403 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 BRASS 10MM	376

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