Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
963120042 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND BRASS SPACER L:12,0 MM;ID:	1276
970700321 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 70MM	1369
970200354 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	1844
960090042 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND PLASTIC SPACER L:9,0 MM	332
970120474 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	1082
960250021 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND PLASTIC SPACER L:25,0 MM	490
970220481 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M4 STEEL 22MM	500
9774025633R Würth Elektronik Midcom	SMT STEEL SPACER, M1.6 INTERNAL	4101
970130155 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	531
970150144 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	2364
970300365 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	330
970110321 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 11MM	2526
971070354 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	1892
970060324 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	2260
963030042 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND BRASS SPACER L:3,0 MM;ID:3	126
94513230 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEXAGONAL LOCK SCREW M3 / UNC 4/	1694
960190084 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND PLASTIC SPACER L:19,0 MM	352
970350365 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	520
963010042 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND BRASS SPACER L:1,0 MM;ID:3	553
973200385 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC INTER	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