Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
1923F Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #8-32 SS 2"	405
1798C Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #2-56 BRASS 5/16"	10563900
24343 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 ALUMINUM 10MM	76123000
24322 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 BRASS 18MM	12355100
24341 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 ALUMINUM 20MM	81669900
25523 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M4 NYLON 15MM	100
1904E Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #8-32 NYLON 1"	4111700
24286 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M2.5X0.45 SS 18MM	1391521
2262-2 Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND STANDOFF #4-40 BRASS 1/4"	57925800
1547D Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND STANDOFF #4-40 BRASS 3/4"	414400
1642 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 BRASS 2-1/4"	901069
1797B Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #2-56 ALUMINUM 1/4"	7053200
24445 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 ALUMINUM 15MM	23137400
8441A Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 NYLON 1/4"	1591800
1759-3 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 BRASS 5/8"	700
24406 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 BRASS 18MM	17535200
24291 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 SS 15MM	203
24354 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M4 ALUMINUM 25MM	1907900
8441B Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 NYLON 3/8"	255400
3500A Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND STANDOFF #10-32 ALUM 3/8"	200

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