Starrett 54550 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 0.125x2.5x36 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 54550 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, die makers, and machinists who need a precision-ground, ready-to-use steel blank. At 0.125 inches thick, 2.5 inches wide, and 36 inches long, this bar ships in a single piece at a weight of 3.67 pounds. A2 tool steel is known for its balanced combination of wear resistance, toughness, and dimensional stability during air hardening, making it a reliable choice for punches, dies, gauges, and cutting tools where tight post-heat-treat movement is a priority.

This flat stock is suited for job shops, toolrooms, and maintenance departments handling light-to-medium tooling work. The 36-inch length gives fabricators enough material to cut multiple blanks from a single piece. The as-ground tolerances are production-ready, minimizing setup time before layout and machining. Typical applications include die components, forming tools, fixture plates, and wear plates in both manual and CNC machining environments.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel for minimal distortion during heat treat
• Thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches for consistent stock removal
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches
• Length tolerance of plus 0.25 inches
• Squareness held to 0.003 inches per inch on all edges
• Square tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 tool steel flat stock blank suitable for toolroom fabrication of punches, dies, gauges, wear plates, and similar components requiring an air-hardening steel with close dimensional tolerances.

Installation Notes

Cutting and machining of tool steel flat stock should be performed by qualified machinists or toolmakers using appropriate cutting fluids and tooling rated for hardened or semi-hardened steel. When heat treating, follow the material supplier and applicable shop safety guidelines for A2 air-hardening steel, including proper ventilation and handling of heated stock. Deburr all edges after cutting to prevent handling injuries. Always verify final dimensions after any grinding or milling operation before proceeding to heat treatment.