A Guide to Spacers and Standoffs

Round spacers are commonly used in applications where the spacer will be visible after installation, as they tend to have a less industrial look than hex or square versions.

Similarly, metal spacers are often preferred for improved aesthetics, although round nylon or plastic spacers, brass spacers, and round aluminium spacers are also widely available.

It’s very common, for example, to find stainless steel round spacers used on bolts and screws in TV mounting hardware and other on display assemblies.

Nylon or plastic switch spacers, such as RX8 wheel spacers, can be used in certain rotary power switch shaft assemblies. They are often a go-to method for creating separation between wafers and screens in a rotary or dimmer switch.

However, it is worth noting that searching for switch spacers will more commonly yield results linked to installing a switch surround or housing into a wall recess. This is a different type of spacer that is not relevant to the screw spacer or standoff product category.

Brass spacers are often used where a conductive, non-magnetic, corrosion-resistant material that can be soldered for grounding is needed. Brass is more commonly seen in standoffs than in spacers, although brass spacers may be preferred for aesthetic reasons.

Brass standoffs and spacers are heavier and more robust than most aluminium versions. They might be zinc or nickel-plated and are generally seen as a higher quality alternative to various cheaper metals.

Stainless steel spacers and standoffs are widely used in assemblies where optimal corrosion resistance is important. Often zinc-plated for even better anti-corrosive properties, they are conductive and non-ferrous, as well as being very strong.

Stainless steel tube spacers are often preferred for visible mounting solutions as they remain looking pristine for extended periods. Tubular steel spacers are heavier, more durable, and typically more expensive than aluminium equivalents.

Aluminium standoffs and spacers are a cheap, lightweight and durable alternative to brass or stainless steel metal spacer tubes. Of all the widely available spacer materials, aluminium spacers tend to have the highest weight-to-strength ratio. They are also non-magnetic and perform well as an insulator, in addition to coping well in high-temperature applications.

Nylon spacers or washers are often the best choices where complete electrical insulation is required, offering some of the best non-conductive properties of all the available standoff materials. It is also incredibly lightweight for its overall strength, although it can be prone to shearing in high torque installations. While nylon is highly chemical resistant, it is less suitable for use in damp or humid environments, due to its tendency to absorb moisture over time.

Ceramic spacers provide impressive insulating properties. While they are less commonly found in typical electronics or mounting assemblies, they are often required in certain industrial or mechanical settings. A ceramic spacer may be essential where non-conductive performance under severe temperature loads is needed.