Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
M2108-3005-B RAF	4.5MM HEX X 13MM X M3 THD	250
1612-2 Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND STANDOFF #6-32 BRASS 3/16"	40281600
MFTS6-5-48 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 NYLON 5/16"	3275
4507-440-N RAF	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 NYLON 5/8"	115
970200365 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	576
970080154 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	5481
9775086360R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND STANDOFF M3 STEEL 1MM	427
1122-6-AL-7 RAF	1/4 RD X 1/8 X 0.14	5246
1188-8-AL-24 RAF	ROUND CLEAR HOLE SPACER	350
M2227-5008-SS RAF	10MM X 12MM X M5 THD	200
970450471 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M4 STEEL 45MM	497
13SP050 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND THROUGH SPACER, NATURAL, N	20460
NAS42DD6-51FC RAF	ALUMINUM UNTHREADED SPACER 3/8 R	250
1157-10-B-12 RAF	5/16 RD X 3/8 X .192 ID	870
1630-3 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 BRASS 1"	5001000
1186-10-SS RAF	ROUND SPACER SS 1/4"	454
SF-30-SUS Taica Corporation	SILICONE BOLT MOUNT, VIBRATION I	0
NAS1831C6E64 RAF	STAINLESS STEEL 3/8 HEX FEMALE S	125
005474000014 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	RND SPACER #10 POLYSTYRENE 30MM	3648
M2147-3005-B-12 RAF	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 12MM	409

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