Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
1124-6-PH RAF	1/4 RD X 1/4 X .140 ID	465
1100-2-B-12 RAF	1/8 RD X 1/8 X .090 ID	455
M1003-3005-S-12 RAF	4.5MM RD X 6MM X M3 THD	797
4971 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 NYLON 3/8"	954600
HSM4-8-20-1 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX STANDOFF M4 NYLON 20MM	277
9026-62-B-12 RAF	ROUND SPACER BRASS 2"	40
24415 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M4 BRASS 15MM	9726100
4535-632-SS RAF	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 SS 9/16"	449
4542-832-S-12 RAF	HEX STANDOFF #8-32 STEEL 1"	423
960020021 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND PLASTIC SPACER L:2,0 MM	512
9774110960R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND SPACER STEEL 11MM	0
36M35MF019 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	MALE FEMALE THREADED STANDOFF, M	1000
R40-3001102 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 BRASS 11MM	0
NAS1831A4B32 RAF	ALUMINUM 1/4 HEX FEMALE STANDOFF	0
4533-632-SS RAF	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 SS 7/16"	842
970050474 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	1827
3047-B-440-AL-7 RAF	1/4 RD X 1/4 LENGTH	1100
971180481 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 STEEL 18MM	0
9774020633R Würth Elektronik Midcom	SMT STEEL SPACER, M1.6 INTERNAL	3837
13RSSR0119 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .315 ID, .500 OD,	500

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