Starrett 54586 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 0.25x5x36 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 54586 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar sized at 0.25 inches thick, 5 inches wide, and 36 inches long. A2 tool steel offers a balanced combination of wear resistance, toughness, and dimensional stability during heat treatment, making it a reliable choice for dies, punches, gauges, and precision tooling components. This flat stock is ground and held to tight tolerances: thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches, width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches, and length tolerance of plus 0.25 inches. It is used by tool-and-die makers, machinists, and industrial maintenance professionals who require consistent, ready-to-machine stock.

This flat stock is suited for fabricating cutting tools, forming dies, blanking punches, and similar precision components in job shop, production tooling, and maintenance environments. The 36-inch length allows multiple blanks to be cut from a single piece, reducing material waste. Because A2 steel is air-hardened rather than oil- or water-quenched, it presents lower distortion risk during hardening, which is an important consideration when close tolerances must be maintained after heat treatment. Licensed machinists and toolmakers working in industrial, aerospace, and general manufacturing settings commonly specify this grade.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel construction for reduced distortion during heat treat
• Thickness held to plus or minus 0.001 inches for consistent stock removal and fit-up
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches ensures reliable dimensional control
• Squareness edge specification of 0.003 inches per inch for accurate layout and machining
• 36-inch length provides flexibility for cutting multiple blanks from one piece
• Ground flat stock finish reduces setup time at the machine

Compatibility

Designed as a standard-profile A2 air-hardening tool steel flat bar suitable for use in tool-and-die fabrication, punch and die sets, gauging components, and general precision tooling applications where A2 grade material is specified.

Installation Notes

Cutting and machining of tool steel flat stock should be performed by qualified machinists using appropriate carbide or high-speed tooling. All heat treatment operations, including hardening and tempering of A2 steel, should follow established metallurgical procedures and be performed in a controlled atmosphere or vacuum furnace where possible to minimize surface decarburization. Allow stock to reach ambient temperature before final measurement to ensure accurate tolerance verification. Personal protective equipment including eye protection and cut-resistant gloves is required when handling and cutting flat bar stock.