Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
4628-832-SS RAF	3/8 HEX X 3/4 LENGTH	291
2396-3716-S-12 RAF	5/8 HEX X 2.00 LENGTH	96
SO-1524-03-01-02-L Samtec, Inc.	BOARD TO BOARD STANDOFF	0
971300471 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 STEEL 30MM	954
1184-8-N RAF	3/8 RD X 1/8 X 0.166	4880
MM-100-UC04-SL20300 Aearo Technologies, LLC – a 3M company	RND STNDFF #4-40 SYN RUB 8.13MM	519
1876 Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND STANDOFF #4-40 BRASS 7/8"	145500
M2147-3005-AL RAF	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 ALUM 12MM	1021
971160474 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	998
9905-750 Califia Lighting (Bivar)	ROUND SPACER #6 NYLON 3/4"	2897
M1066-4007-AL RAF	6_MM_ROUND_FEMALE_STANDOFFS	837
SH1006-H Davies Molding, LLC.	M5 X 55MM MALE/FEMALE HEX HYBRID	450
13RS100032 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .505 ID, 1.000 OD,	2950
M2159-4007-AL-7 RAF	6MM HEX X 24MM X M4 THD	175
1689-832-AL RAF	1/4 RD X 13/16 LENGTH	1000
35HSP012 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX SELF THREAD STANDOFF, #8 SCR	1915
970060361 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 6MM	500
1560F Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND STANDOFF #4-40 BRASS 1/8"	212700
24494 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M4 SS 12MM	126611
971350474 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	255

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