Starrett 56516 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 1x1.5x36 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 56516 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar used in toolmaking, die making, and precision machining applications. It measures 1 inch thick, 1-1/2 inches wide, and 36 inches long, with a weight of 17.59 pounds. The A2 grade designation indicates an air-hardening tool steel with good dimensional stability during heat treatment and a balance of wear resistance and toughness. Thickness and squareness tolerances are held to plus or minus 0.001 inch, making this bar stock suitable for applications requiring tight dimensional control before and after hardening. Machinists, toolmakers, and die shops use this material to fabricate punches, dies, jigs, gauges, and fixtures.

This flat stock is suited for job shops and in-house tool rooms producing short-run tooling, production dies, and wear components. The 36-inch length allows for multiple blanks to be cut from a single bar. A2 air-hardening steel is commonly specified where oil-hardening grades introduce unacceptable distortion risk or where through-hardening in still air is preferred for complex shapes. It is appropriate for both prototype tooling and production tooling applications in light manufacturing and metalworking environments.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel for good dimensional stability during heat treat
• Thickness tolerance held to plus or minus 0.001 inch
• Width tolerance held to plus 0.000 to minus 0.005 inch
• Length tolerance of plus 0.25 inch
• Squareness held to 0.003 inch per inch on all edges
• 36-inch length provides multiple blanks from a single piece

Compatibility

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

Installation Notes

Cutting, grinding, and machining should be performed by qualified toolmakers or machinists using appropriate metalworking equipment. Heat treatment of A2 tool steel requires a controlled atmosphere furnace or salt bath to achieve specified hardness; consult the material data sheet for austenitizing temperature and quench procedure before processing. Always wear appropriate PPE when cutting or grinding tool steel bar stock. Allow the bar to reach ambient temperature before performing final dimensioning or inspection.