Starrett 54559 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 5/32x1-1/2x36in

Product Description

The STARRETT 54559 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who need a precision-ground blank ready for heat treatment. Measuring 5/32 inch thick, 1-1/2 inches wide, and 36 inches long, this flat stock is held to tight dimensional tolerances: plus or minus 0.001 inch on thickness, plus 0.000 to 0.005 inch on width, and plus 0.25 inch on length. Square tolerance is plus or minus 0.001 inch, with edge squareness not exceeding 0.003 inch per inch of width. At 2.29 pounds, it is a practical stock length for fabricating punches, dies, gauges, and cutting tools.

A2 tool steel is an air-hardening, cold-work die steel suited for applications requiring moderate toughness and good wear resistance. This flat bar is commonly used in machine shops, tool rooms, and maintenance departments for manufacturing or repairing stamping dies, form tools, trim dies, and precision fixtures. It air hardens with minimal distortion compared to oil-hardening grades, making it a preferred choice when dimensional stability through heat treatment is a priority.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel — minimal distortion during heat treatment
• Thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inch for precision fitment
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inch
• Edge squareness held to 0.003 inch per inch
• 36-inch length provides a full working bar for multiple blanks per piece
• Precision-ground flat stock ready for machining and heat treatment

Compatibility

Designed as a general-purpose A2 tool steel flat stock for tool room and machine shop use wherever AISI A2 cold-work die steel stock is specified.

Installation Notes

Cutting, grinding, and machining of tool steel flat stock should be performed by qualified machinists or toolmakers using appropriate coolant and tooling rated for hardened or pre-hardened steel. Heat treatment of A2 tool steel should follow the material manufacturer's published hardening and tempering cycles and be performed in a controlled atmosphere or salt bath to minimize decarburization. Always allow the material to reach room temperature before performing final tolerance-critical grinding operations.