Starrett 54748 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 0.5x2x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 54748 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar used in toolmaking, die work, and precision machining applications. Measuring 0.5 inches thick, 2 inches wide, and 18 inches long, this flat stock is manufactured to tight dimensional tolerances: plus or minus 0.001 inches on thickness, plus or minus 0.001 inches on squareness, plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches on width, and plus 0.250 inches on length. A2 tool steel is known for its excellent dimensional stability during heat treatment, making it a preferred choice for dies, punches, gauges, and cutting tools where precision and wear resistance are required. This stock ships at approximately 5.09 pounds.

This flat stock is suited for machine shops, tool and die shops, and industrial fabrication environments. It is typically used to fabricate blanks for punches, forming dies, trim dies, and precision fixtures. A2 air-hardening steel is commonly selected when a balance of toughness, wear resistance, and minimal distortion on hardening is needed. It is appropriate for both prototype tooling and production-grade tool fabrication where close tolerances must be maintained through the machining and heat treat process.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel for minimal distortion during heat treatment
• Thickness held to plus or minus 0.001 inches for consistent stock removal in machining
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches supports precise blank sizing
• Squareness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches reduces setup time on surface grinders and mills
• 18-inch length with a plus 0.250-inch length tolerance provides usable material for multiple blanks
• Ready-to-machine condition suitable for annealed flat stock applications

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock blank compatible with conventional toolmaking, die-making, and precision machining workflows where AISI A2 material specification is required.

Installation Notes

Machining and heat treatment of A2 tool steel should be performed by qualified tool and die makers or machinists familiar with air-hardening steels. Always follow appropriate shop safety practices when grinding, milling, or EDM-processing tool steel stock. Heat treatment, including hardening and tempering cycles, should be performed according to AISI A2 specifications using a controlled-atmosphere furnace to minimize scaling and decarburization. Secure workpieces properly before machining to maintain the close tolerances this stock is ground to.