Drill Rod Tool Steels 03719481 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock

Product Description

The DRILL ROD TOOL STEELS 03719481 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar cut to 5/16 inches thick, 2-1/2 inches wide, and 36 inches long. A2 tool steel is a cold-work, air-hardening alloy known for its dimensional stability during heat treatment, good toughness, and moderate wear resistance. This flat stock is supplied in the annealed condition and is ready for machining before hardening. It is used by tool and die makers, machinists, and metalworking shops to fabricate punches, dies, forming tools, jigs, and fixtures. The piece weighs approximately 8.44 pounds.

This flat stock is suited for precision tooling applications in both production shops and maintenance environments. Its air-hardening characteristic reduces distortion during the hardening cycle compared to oil-hardening grades, making it a preferred choice for close-tolerance tooling components. Applications include blanking dies, trim dies, shear blades, and similar cold-work tooling where dimensional control after hardening is critical. It is appropriate for any shop that machines and heat-treats its own tooling in-house.

Key Features

• A2 air-hardening tool steel minimizes distortion during heat treatment compared to oil-hardening grades
• Thickness tolerance of +0.010 to +0.015 inches for consistent stock removal planning
• Width tolerance of +0.010 to +0.015 inches
• Length tolerance of +0.250 to +0.500 inches
• Square tolerance of +/- 0.003 inches for accurate layout and fixturing
• Supplied in annealed condition for ease of machining prior to hardening

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 tool steel flat stock bar for cold-work tooling fabrication. No specific equipment or machine compatibility is stated for this material.

Installation Notes

Machining and heat treatment of A2 tool steel should be performed by qualified toolmakers or machinists familiar with cold-work tool steel processing. Follow the steel manufacturer's published heat treatment guidelines for hardening and tempering temperatures. Grinding after hardening requires adequate coolant to prevent surface burn and micro-cracking. Handle with care after hardening, as hardened tool steel is brittle and susceptible to edge chipping if dropped or impacted.