Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
M1054-3005-AL RAF	6_MM_ROUND_FEMALE_STANDOFFS	3966
SWI1760A Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER M6 NYLON 2.6MM	6034
36832MF137 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	MALE FEMALE THREADED STANDOFF, #	990
1198-10-S-12 RAF	3/8 RD X 1.00 X .192 ID	200
M1579-B-4007-AL RAF	8MM RD X 12MM X M4 THD	259
13RS137522 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .795 ID, 1.375 OD,	250
1790-2 Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND STANDOFF #4-40 BRASS 3/16"	4917100
9652.2100 Schurter	HEX STANDOFF M5 NYLON 22MM	3100
NAS1829C4C19 RAF	STAINLESS STEEL 1/4 HEX MALE/FEM	250
9774080151R Würth Elektronik Midcom	RND STANDOFF M2.5X0.45 STEEL 8MM	7533
M2162-4007-SS RAF	6MM HEX X 31MM X M4 THD	94
3546-B-632-SS RAF	1/4_HEX_SWAGE_STANDOFFS	657
NAS1831C3A08 RAF	STAINLESS STEEL 3/16 HEX FEMALE	125
963190042 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND BRASS SPACER L:19,0 MM;ID:	910
3045-B-632-B RAF	ROUND STANDOFF #6-32 BRASS 1/8"	3225
M0655-4-AL RAF	10MM RD X 6MM X 4.3MM ID	500
2107-632-AL-7 RAF	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 ALUM 11/16"	306
NAS1831C4C42 RAF	STAINLESS STEEL 1/4 HEX FEMALE S	125
M0633-5-AL-22 RAF	8MM RD X 44MM X 5.3MM ID	292
13RS231251 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, 1.420 ID, 2.031 OD	250

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