Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
M1013-3005-N RAF	4_5_MM_ROUND_FEMALE_STANDOFFS	590
CBMFTS035A Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 NYLON 28.7MM	2251
MF-200-UC08-H Aearo Technologies, LLC – a 3M company	RND STNDFF 8-32 SYN RUB 1/2" 1PC	0
M1501-C-2545-AL RAF	4_5_MM_ROUND_SWAGE_STANDOFFS	1000
R30-1000602 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 6MM	4711
13RSSR0010 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .090 ID, .125 OD,	1000
M0534-4-AL RAF	6MM RD X 5MM X 4.3MM ID	984
9774025151R Würth Elektronik Midcom	RND STNDFF M2.5X0.45 STEEL 2.5MM	18591
4001-632-SS RAF	3/16 RD X 1/4 LENGTH	147
R30-1000802 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 8MM	5056
4656-1032-SS RAF	HEX STANDOFF #10-32 SS 3"	33
1731-3 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #2-56 BRASS 1/8"	15004400
9863.2200 Schurter	ROUND STANDOFF M6 NYLON 32MM	528
M1331-4007-SS RAF	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 SS 52MM	289
970200321 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 20MM	1592
MFTS6-8-48 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 NYLON 1/2"	850
25508 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 NYLON 6MM	0
9774070360R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 7MM	415
13RSSR0182 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .252 ID, .625 OD,	2000
970370361 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 37MM	129

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