Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
971600581 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M5 STEEL 60MM	52
970090361 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 9MM	0
970120361 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 12MM	100
960110042 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND PLASTIC SPACER L:11,0 MM	309
960070084 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND PLASTIC SPACER L:7,0 MM	1124
971200351 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 20MM	2
970090485 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	344
970110485 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	318
971200511 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M5 STEEL 20MM	0
970450361 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 45MM	138
9771100360R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 10MM	0
963060174 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND BRASS SPACER L:6,0 MM;ID:4	4540
970200151 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M2.5X0.45 STEEL 20MM	1757
970080474 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	2404
971400581 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M5 STEEL 40MM	923
970320365 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	501
971400477 Würth Elektronik Midcom	STAINLESS STEEL SPACER STUD METR	180
9774150360R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 15MM	4812
971400321 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 40MM	1119
9774150960R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND SPACER STEEL 15MM	786

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