Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
963060042 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND BRASS SPACER L:6,0 MM;ID:3	4193
971170361 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 17MM	0
970090324 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	400
94518200 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEXAGONAL LOCK SCREW UNC 4/40 X	2700
971120321 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 12MM	5845
960030042 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND PLASTIC SPACER L:3,0 MM	301
971120485 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	9
970250324 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	821
970120354 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	2465
970170361 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 17MM	0
9771090360R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 9MM	0
970100244 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	4050
970250327 Würth Elektronik Midcom	STAINLESS STEEL SPACER STUD METR	672
97730356330R Würth Elektronik Midcom	SMT STEEL SPACER, M1.6 INTERNAL	3513
9775056360R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND STANDOFF M3 STEEL 1MM	276
970070155 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	956
9771150360R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 15MM	46
971180611 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF STEEL 18MM	0
971300581 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M5 STEEL 30MM	253
970280361 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 28MM	585

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