Drill Rod Tool Steels 85997401 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock

Product Description

The DRILL ROD TOOL STEELS 85997401 is an AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar measuring 3/16 inches thick, 3 inches wide, and 72 inches long. A2 tool steel is a chromium-molybdenum alloy known for its dimensional stability during heat treatment, moderate wear resistance, and good toughness. It air-hardens, which reduces distortion compared to oil- or water-quenching grades. This flat stock is a standard raw material form used by machinists, tool and die makers, and metalworking shops to fabricate dies, punches, gauges, and cutting tools requiring consistent cross-section and controlled tolerances.

This flat bar is suited for tool room and production applications where close thickness and width tolerances are required prior to finish grinding and heat treatment. Typical uses include blanking dies, forming tools, trimming dies, and precision fixtures. The 72-inch length allows for multiple blanks to be cut from a single bar, reducing material waste. It is appropriate for both job shop and in-house toolmaking operations in manufacturing and industrial environments.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel - reduced distortion during hardening versus O1 or W-series grades
• Thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches for consistent stock removal allowance
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to plus 0.005 inches
• 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
• Ships as a single bar at 11.6 pounds, ready for saw cutting or surface grinding

Compatibility

Designed as a standard AISI A2 tool steel flat stock suitable for tool and die fabrication, punch and die sets, gauging, and precision fixture components where air-hardening steel is specified.

Installation Notes

Cutting, grinding, and heat treatment of tool steel should be performed by qualified machinists or tool and die makers familiar with A2 processing requirements. Use appropriate personal protective equipment when sawing or grinding. Heat treatment, including austenitizing and air-quench hardening, should follow the material manufacturer's published parameters and be performed in a controlled atmosphere or vacuum furnace where surface decarburization is a concern. Allow the bar to normalize or stress-relieve before finish machining if significant material has been removed.