Drill Rod Tool Steels 85998441 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock

Product Description

The DRILL ROD TOOL STEELS 85998441 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, die makers, machinists, and metalworking fabricators who require a dimensionally consistent, ready-to-machine blank. A2 tool steel is known for its balanced combination of wear resistance and toughness after air-hardening heat treatment, making it a widely used choice for punches, dies, gauges, and similar precision tooling applications. This piece measures 0.625 inches thick, 2.5 inches wide, and 18 inches long, with a shipping weight of 8.06 pounds. Thickness tolerance is held to plus or minus 0.001 inches, supporting close-tolerance tooling work without requiring extensive pre-machining cleanup.

This flat stock is suited for job shops, toolrooms, and manufacturing maintenance departments. It is typically used as raw material for cutting tools, forming dies, jigs, fixtures, and gauging components. The air-hardening characteristic of A2 steel means it can be hardened with minimal distortion compared to oil- or water-hardening grades, which is an advantage when machining complex profiles before heat treatment. This bar is sold as a single piece and is appropriate for both prototype and short-run production tooling work.

Key Features

• A2 air-hardening tool steel per AISI material specification for predictable, low-distortion hardening
• Thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches for close-tolerance tooling blanks
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to minus 0.005 inches
• Length tolerance of plus or minus 0.062 inches
• Squareness held to 0.003 inches on edges and 0.004 inches per inch of thickness on ends
• Single-piece quantity suitable for one-off tooling and prototype work

Compatibility

Designed as a standard AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock suitable for general toolroom and die-making applications requiring pre-hardened or anneal-and-harden machining stock.

Installation Notes

Machining and heat treatment of tool steel should be performed by qualified toolmakers or machinists familiar with A2 steel handling procedures. Always follow established shop safety practices when cutting, grinding, or heat-treating tool steel, including use of appropriate PPE. Hardening and tempering operations should reference the material manufacturer's published heat treatment guidelines for A2 steel. Do not attempt to weld or flame-cut A2 tool steel without consulting appropriate metallurgical guidance.