Complete Guide to Spacers: Hex, Round & Nylon Types

Spacers create precise gaps between components, ensuring proper alignment, electrical isolation, and thermal management. Used extensively in electronics, PCBs, panels, and machinery where exact spacing is critical for function and safety.

1. Hex Spacers and Hex ET Spacers

Hex spacers are threaded cylindrical spacers with hexagonal outer shape, allowing wrench tightening and providing anti-rotation resistance. They feature internal threads on both ends (female-female), external threads on both ends (male-male), or mixed (male-female), depending on application. Common in PCB mounting (creating standoff between board and enclosure), panel mounting (spacing panels from backing), electronics enclosures (mounting circuit boards at correct height), and machinery assembly. Available in brass (for electronics where conductivity desired), stainless steel (for corrosion resistance), aluminum (lightweight applications), and nylon (electrical insulation). Hex ET spacers (ET = External Thread) have external male threads on both ends, screwing into threaded holes in mating parts.

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2. Nylon Round Plain Spacers and Nylon Hex Spacers

Nylon round plain spacers are smooth cylindrical spacers without threads, used as through-hole spacers where bolt or screw passes completely through. They provide electrical insulation (preventing shorts in electronics), corrosion resistance (in chemical environments), lightweight (reducing assembly weight), vibration damping (reducing noise and shock transmission), and non-marring properties (protecting sensitive surfaces). Essential in PCB assemblies to insulate boards from metal enclosures, LED panel mounting, electronics packaging, and anywhere metal-to-metal contact must be prevented. Nylon hex spacers combine hexagonal shape (for wrench tightening) with nylon material properties.

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3. Nylon ET Spacers for Electronics and Industrial Use

Nylon ET (External Thread) spacers have male threads on both ends, creating threaded standoffs between components. Unlike metal ET spacers, nylon versions provide critical electrical insulation while maintaining mechanical spacing. These are essential in electronics assembly where conductive spacers could create short circuits, LED mounting where electrical isolation from heat sinks is required, sensor mounting where electrical noise must be eliminated, and power supply assemblies where high voltage isolation is mandatory. Installation involves screwing one end into first component's threaded hole, then threading second component onto exposed end. This eliminates separate fasteners, reducing assembly time and part count. Nylon material withstands temperatures up to 85-120°C depending on grade, resists most chemicals, and provides excellent dimensional stability. Common thread sizes include M2.5, M3, M4 (electronics), and M5, M6 (industrial equipment) with lengths from 5mm to 50mm. Black nylon spacers offer UV resistance for outdoor applications. Nylon's low friction coefficient also makes these spacers self-lubricating in dynamic applications.

Precision Spacing Solutions

Whether you need metal hex spacers for structural applications or nylon spacers for electrical isolation, ScrewBazar provides the complete range. Our technical team helps select appropriate spacer type, material, and dimensions for your specific clearance and insulation requirements. Contact us for samples and bulk pricing.