Drill Rod Tool Steels 03718228 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock

Product Description

The DRILL ROD TOOL STEELS 03718228 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who need a dimensionally consistent, machinable blank ready for heat treatment. At 0.25 inches thick, 6 inches wide, and 36 inches long, this flat stock arrives ground to close tolerances on all faces, making it suitable for direct layout and machining without additional stock removal on the broad surfaces. A2 tool steel offers good wear resistance and moderate toughness, and its air-hardening characteristic reduces the risk of distortion during heat treatment compared to oil- or water-hardening grades.

This flat stock is used in tool and die shops, mold-making operations, and general precision machining environments. Typical applications include punches, dies, forming tools, gauges, and fixture components where dimensional accuracy before and after hardening is critical. The 6-inch width and 36-inch length provide enough material for medium-to-large tooling blanks, and the ground finish minimizes setup time at the mill or surface grinder.

Key Features

• A2 air-hardening tool steel for reduced distortion during heat treatment
• Thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches for precise fit-up
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches, holding close dimensional control
• Length tolerance of plus or minus 0.250 to 0.500 inches
• Square tolerance of plus or minus 0.003 inches across faces
• Ships as a single piece at approximately 15.3 pounds

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock blank suitable for tool and die, punch and die, gauge, and fixture fabrication applications requiring AISI A2 material specification.

Installation Notes

Machining and heat treatment of tool steel should be performed by qualified toolmakers or machinists familiar with AISI A2 processing requirements. Always follow the steel supplier's recommended preheat, hardening, and tempering temperature ranges for A2 tool steel. Secure the workpiece properly in a milling vise or surface grinder magnetic chuck before any stock removal. Appropriate personal protective equipment, including eye protection and gloves, is required when cutting or grinding tool steel.