Starrett 56501 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 3/4x1x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 56501 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar used in tool and die work, fixture building, punch and die sets, and precision machining applications. It measures 0.75 inches thick, 1 inch wide, and 18 inches long, with a weight of 3.84 pounds. The A2 designation indicates an air-hardening, medium-alloy cold-work tool steel that offers good dimensional stability during heat treat, moderate toughness, and wear resistance suited to production tooling. Machinists, tool and die makers, and industrial maintenance technicians work with this material when a balance of hardness, toughness, and minimal distortion on hardening is required.

This flat stock is intended for industrial and manufacturing environments where precision ground stock is required in the annealed state for subsequent machining and heat treatment. Typical applications include making blanking dies, forming tools, gauges, jigs, and fixtures. The close thickness and squareness tolerances make it well suited for applications that demand consistent stock removal and predictable finished dimensions after hardening. It is sold as a single piece per package.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel for stable, low-distortion heat treatment
• Thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches for consistent stock dimensions
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to plus 0.005 inches
• Length tolerance of plus 0.250 inches
• Square tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches for flat, parallel faces
• Ready-to-machine annealed condition typical of precision ground flat stock

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock suitable for general tool and die, fixture, and precision machining applications requiring AISI A2 material specification.

Installation Notes

Cutting and machining of tool steel flat stock should be performed with appropriate metalworking equipment by qualified machinists or tool and die makers. Follow established shop safety procedures, including eye protection and secure workholding, when sawing or milling this material. Heat treatment of A2 tool steel should be performed according to the material specification and applicable shop procedures; consult the material data sheet for austenitizing and quench guidelines. Handle edges carefully as precision ground stock can have sharp burrs after cutting.