Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
971100476 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ALUMINIUM SPACER STUD METRIC THR	298
970050351 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 5MM	1249
970070365 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	435
971220151 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF STEEL 22MM	0
971150154 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	2115
960090021 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND PLASTIC SPACER L:9,0 MM	221
960120042 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND PLASTIC SPACER L:12,0 MM	41
971270321 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STNDFF M3X0.5 STEEL 1-1/16"	2472
970500481 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M4 STEEL 50MM	545
970200511 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M5 STEEL 20MM	0
970160471 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M4 STEEL 16MM	0
970450365 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	481
9774050960R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND SPACER STEEL 5MM	13344
971300611 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M6 STEEL 30MM	493
960120010 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND PLASTIC SPACER L:12,0 MM	258
9776060960R Würth Elektronik Midcom	SMT STEEL SPACER	648
97730406330R Würth Elektronik Midcom	SMT STEEL SPACER, M1.6 INTERNAL	1200
971400476 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ALUMINIUM SPACER STUD METRIC THR	280
971260485 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	275
960030084 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND PLASTIC SPACER L:3,0 MM	185

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