Drill Rod Tool Steels 85998888 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock

Product Description

The DRILL ROD TOOL STEELS 85998888 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock cut to 5/32 inches thick, 8 inches wide, and 18 inches long. A2 tool steel is a chromium-molybdenum alloy known for its dimensional stability during air hardening and its resistance to wear and distortion after heat treatment. This flat stock ships in an annealed condition and is intended for machining into dies, punches, gauges, shear blades, and other precision tooling components. Machinists, tool-and-die makers, and maintenance technicians who need a reliable, tight-tolerance starting blank will find this bar ready for immediate layout and machining work.

This flat stock is suited for job-shop and in-house tooling applications where tight dimensional tolerances are required before and after hardening. It is appropriate for both one-off prototype tooling and short-run production blanks. Typical applications include blanking and forming dies, trim dies, punches, and precision fixtures. The 18-inch length and 8-inch width provide ample material for a wide range of shop layouts. The weight of this piece is approximately 6.97 pounds, making it manageable for bench work without lifting equipment.

Key Features

• A2 air-hardening tool steel - AISI type A2, offering low distortion during heat treatment compared to oil-hardening grades
• Thickness held to a plus 0.010 to 0.015 inch tolerance for consistent stock removal in machining
• Width tolerance of plus 0.010 to 0.015 inches for predictable blank sizing
• Length tolerance of plus 0.062 inches - allows facing to final length without undersize risk
• Squareness held to 0.003 inches on edges and 0.004 inches per inch of thickness on ends
• Ships annealed, ready for layout, sawing, milling, grinding, and subsequent heat treatment

Compatibility

Designed as a standard AISI A2 tool steel flat stock blank suitable for general tooling, die-making, and precision machining applications where air-hardening grades are specified.

Installation Notes

Machining of A2 tool steel should be performed by qualified machinists or tool-and-die makers familiar with hardened-steel stock handling. Always secure the blank fully in a vise or fixture before cutting operations. Heat treatment, including hardening and tempering, should follow the material manufacturer's recommended thermal cycle and should be performed by a qualified heat-treating facility. Allow the part to reach ambient temperature before finish grinding to final dimensions.