Wash-Aways Dissolvable Spacers

Multi-Seals Wash-Aways dissolvable component spacers are organic polymer rings, wafers, rectangles, and blocks that disintegrate in hot water or alcohol.

Consistent Component Spacing

Wash-Aways locate and reinforce PCB components during soldering operations. We manufacture our dissolving standoffs to close tolerances to provide uniform spacing between components and printed circuit boards. Consistent component spacing allows free circulation of air, mechanical protection, optimum filleting, and greater accessibility for inspection, cleaning, and conformal coating.

Dissolvable Spacing

After soldering, Wash-Aways dissolve in most water or alcohol baths that remove solder flux. Dissolving times range from two to 80 seconds, depending on spacer size and solvent chemistry and temperature. Unlike nylon, phenolic, or metal spacers, dissolvable spacers do not remain on PCB assemblies or require manual removal.

Wide Variety

Wash-Aways are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes to accommodate a variety of components, including transistors, capacitors, LEDs, potentiometers, integrated circuits, and other components used in printed circuit board assembly. Typical spacer shapes include rings, plugs, disks, blocks, and frames. More complex configurations with multiple inside diameters for multiple terminals are also available. Standoff diameters and lengths range from as small as .035″ (0.9 mm) to as large as .800″ (20 mm). Spacing heights can be as thin as .010″ (0.25 mm) or as thick as .170″ (4.3 mm). See Typical Wash-Away Configurations for more information.

Custom Configurations

Multi-Seals will produce the dissolving shim, spacer, or standoff that is the best fit for your assembly. You are not limited to a narrow selection of off-the-shelf sizes. We will even provide engineering samples to allow you to confirm you have the best Wash-Away spacer for your assembly before you place an order.

Clean Systems

Unlike salt spacers, soap spacers, or sugar spacers, Wash-Aways dissolving spacers are organic polymers that contain no ionizable material, salts, sugars, metals, or soaps. They are non-corrosive, non-conductive, and non-toxic.

Let us help.

Multi-Seals offers engineering samples at no charge for your qualification. We will also conduct a free evaluation of your component for spacing with our water-soluble standoffs. Contact us today to discuss your requirements.