Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
M0502-3-SS RAF	ROUND SPACER STAINLESS STEEL 3MM	1976
M2117-3005-B RAF	4_5_MM_HEX_MALE_FEMALE_STANDOFFS	2518
1748-832-SS RAF	5/16_ROUND_FEMALE_STANDOFFS	392
1681T-832-B RAF	1/4_ROUND_FEMALE_STANDOFFS	1040
1684-1032-SS RAF	1/4 RD X 1/2 LENGTH	352
NAS1831C5D14 RAF	STAINLESS STEEL 5/16 HEX FEMALE	0
4532-632-S RAF	1/4 HEX X 3/8 LENGTH	398
M1260-2545-SS-20 RAF	4.5MM HEX X 13MM X M2.5 THD	475
4500-440-N RAF	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 NYLON 3/16"	3021
1198-10-AL RAF	3/8 RD X 1.00 X .192 ID	988
M2100-3005-SS RAF	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 SS 5MM	5802
M1257-3005-N RAF	4.5MM HEX X 10MM X M3 THD	4500
M0592-5-AL RAF	8MM RD X 3MM X 5.3MM ID	472
M0662-5-AL RAF	10MM RD X 13MM X 5.3MM ID	286
M1253-3005-N RAF	4_5_MM_HEX_FEMALE_STANDOFFS	927
M2160-4007-SS RAF	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 SS 25MM	153
NAS61-04A-010 RAF	NYLON UNTHREADED SPACER 1/4 OD,#	500
9018-62-S-12 RAF	ROUND SPACER STEEL 1-1/2"	100
M1302-4007-SS RAF	6MM HEX X 5MM X M4 THD	488
M2105-3005-N RAF	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 NYLON 10MM	220

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