Starrett 54632 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 5/16x1x36 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 54632 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar measuring 5/16 inches thick, 1 inch wide, and 36 inches long. A2 tool steel is an air-hardening, cold-work die steel known for its dimensional stability during heat treatment and good wear resistance. This flat stock ships in the annealed condition, ready for machining, grinding, and final heat treatment by the end user. Thickness tolerance is held to plus or minus 0.001 inches, making it suitable for precision tooling applications where tight dimensional control is required before hardening. Weighing 3.66 pounds per bar, it is sized for single-unit use in tool and die shops, maintenance departments, and machine shops.

This flat stock is used in fabrication of punches, dies, gauges, knives, and general tooling components. It is appropriate for both short-run production tooling and maintenance replacement parts in industrial and manufacturing environments. Machinists and tool makers typically machine this material to near-final dimensions while it is in the soft, annealed state before sending it out for or performing in-house air hardening. The 36-inch length allows for multiple parts to be cut from a single bar, reducing material waste on typical tooling projects.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel for consistent dimensional stability during heat treat
• Thickness held to plus or minus 0.001 inches for precision fitment before hardening
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches for controlled stock removal
• Length tolerance of plus 0.25 inches ensures full usable length
• Squareness held to 0.003 inches per inch on all edges
• Single 36-inch bar format suitable for cutting multiple tooling blanks

Compatibility

Designed as a general-purpose A2 air-hardening tool steel flat bar for use in tool and die fabrication, punch and die sets, gauges, blades, and precision machine components requiring air-hardening cold-work steel.

Installation Notes

Machining and grinding should be performed while the material is in the annealed condition prior to heat treatment. Heat treatment of A2 tool steel, including austenitizing, air hardening, and tempering, should be performed by qualified personnel following established metallurgical procedures for AISI A2. Use appropriate personal protective equipment and follow shop safety protocols when cutting, grinding, or machining tool steel. Consult applicable material data sheets for full heat treatment parameters before processing.