Drill Rod Tool Steels 85998276 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock

Product Description

The DRILL ROD TOOL STEELS 85998276 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who require tight-tolerance stock for fabricating punches, dies, gauges, and cutting tools. This piece measures 5/16 inches thick by 3/8 inches wide by 18 inches long and is supplied in the annealed condition, ready for machining prior to heat treatment. Thickness tolerance is held to plus or minus 0.001 inches, width tolerance is held to plus 0.000 to minus 0.005 inches, and length tolerance is plus or minus 0.062 inches. The controlled squareness of 0.003 inches at edges supports accurate layout and grinding operations.

A2 tool steel flat stock in this size range is suited to short-run tooling applications in job shops, maintenance facilities, and precision machine shops. It is commonly used where air-hardening steel is preferred over oil-hardening grades to minimize distortion during heat treatment. Typical applications include blanking and forming die components, fixture blades, and small punch blanks. This 18-inch length allows a single piece to yield multiple blanks without excessive remnant waste.

Key Features

• A2 air-hardening tool steel construction minimizes distortion during heat treat compared to oil-hardening grades
• Thickness held to plus or minus 0.001 inches for predictable finish grinding allowances
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to minus 0.005 inches supports close-fit applications
• Squareness of 0.003 inches at edges and 0.004 inches per inch of thickness at ends
• 18-inch length provides practical yield for multiple tooling blanks from a single piece
• Supplied annealed for machinability prior to hardening and tempering

Compatibility

Designed as a standard AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel flat bar compatible with conventional toolroom heat-treatment processes. No specific equipment or system compatibility data was provided by the manufacturer for this SKU.

Installation Notes

Machining and heat treatment of tool steel stock should be performed by qualified toolmakers or machinists familiar with AISI A2 specifications. Ensure all milling, grinding, and drilling operations are completed before hardening, as the steel will reach hardness levels that are difficult to machine after the air-quench cycle. Always follow the material manufacturer's recommended austenitizing temperature and tempering cycle for A2 grade. Wear appropriate PPE when handling and cutting tool steel bar stock.