Starrett 54603 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 5/32x2x18 Inch

Product Description

The STARRETT 54603 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who require close-tolerance blanks for punches, dies, gauges, and general toolroom work. This bar measures 5/32 inch thick, 2 inches wide, and 18 inches long, and is held to tight dimensional tolerances: plus or minus 0.001 inch on thickness and squareness, plus 0.000 to 0.005 inch on width, and plus 0.250 inch on length. AISI A2 tool steel offers good wear resistance and dimensional stability during air-hardening heat treatment, making it a preferred choice when D2 is overbuilt for the application.

This flat stock is suited for job shops, tool and die operations, and maintenance machining environments where small-to-medium tool sections are needed in ready-to-machine form. The 18-inch length allows multiple blanks to be cut from a single piece. Typical applications include punch blanks, fixture components, forming tools, and wear plates in light-duty production tooling. The bar ships in annealed condition and is ready for machining prior to heat treat.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel — good toughness and wear resistance with minimal distortion during hardening
• Close thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inch for reduced pre-machining stock removal
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inch provides consistent fit in die sets and fixture slots
• Annealed condition allows full machinability before heat treat operations
• 18-inch length yields multiple blanks from a single bar

Compatibility

Designed as a general-purpose A2 tool steel flat stock for toolroom, die shop, and maintenance machining applications requiring air-hardening alloy steel in flat bar form.

Installation Notes

Cutting, grinding, and machining should be performed in the annealed condition before heat treatment. A licensed heat treater or in-house furnace operator should follow the applicable AISI A2 hardening and tempering procedure for the intended application. Secure the bar properly in a milling vise or bandsaw fixture before cutting to prevent movement. Use appropriate eye protection and machine guarding when cutting or grinding tool steel.