Drill Rod Tool Steels 85997203 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock

Product Description

The DRILL ROD TOOL STEELS 85997203 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar sized at 0.125 inches thick, 1 inch wide, and 72 inches long. A2 tool steel is an air-hardening, cold-work die steel known for its dimensional stability during heat treatment and good wear resistance. This flat stock is supplied to tight tolerances - plus or minus 0.001 inches on thickness and plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches on width - making it suitable for precision tooling, die components, punches, and fixture plates. Machinists, tool and die makers, and industrial maintenance professionals work with this material to fabricate custom tooling and wear parts.

This flat stock is used in tool and die shops, maintenance departments, and production environments where consistent, machinable steel stock is required before hardening. Common applications include cutting dies, blanking punches, forming tools, and precision fixtures. The 72-inch length allows for multiple blanks to be cut from a single bar, reducing waste on production runs. The A2 specification makes it a standard choice where O1 oil-hardening steel is too distortion-prone and D2 is too brittle for the application.

Key Features

• A2 air-hardening tool steel - minimizes distortion during heat treatment compared to oil-hardening grades
• Thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches for precision fit in close-tolerance applications
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches - stock never undersize on width
• Length tolerance of plus or minus 1 inch on the 72-inch bar
• Squareness: edge 0.003 inches and ends 0.004 inches per inch of thickness
• 72-inch bar length suits multi-blank cutting and longer die components

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock for use in tool and die fabrication, punch and die sets, fixture components, and other cold-work tooling applications requiring an AISI A2 material specification.

Installation Notes

Cutting and machining should be performed by qualified machinists or tool and die professionals using appropriate metalworking equipment. Heat treatment to harden A2 tool steel requires controlled atmosphere or vacuum furnace equipment to achieve proper hardness and minimize scaling - consult a qualified heat treater for specific cycle parameters. Always wear appropriate PPE when cutting, grinding, or machining tool steel stock. Verify final dimensions after rough machining and before hardening, as minor dimensional changes occur during the air-quench cycle.