Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
971500321 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 50MM	2699
973120365 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC INTER	480
9774020943R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND SPACER STEEL 2MM	810
960020126 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND PLASTIC SPACER L:2,0 MM	252
970400324 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	474
971500481 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 STEEL 50MM	437
9771120360R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 12MM	177
971300365 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	542
971170151 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STNDFF M2.5X0.45 STEEL 17MM	148
9774060943R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND SPACER STEEL 6MM	1740
970080155 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	338
94511003 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEXAGONAL LOCK SCREW UNC 4/40 /	3652
971090154 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	354
970080244 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	962
9775036360R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND STANDOFF M3 STEEL 1MM	88
970100151 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M2.5X0.45 STEEL 10MM	1609
970160581 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M5 STEEL 16MM	196
971700321 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 70MM	226
971300366 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ALUMINIUM SPACER STUD METRIC THR	1267
971150354 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	2828

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