Starrett 57173 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 0.25x2.5x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 57173 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, die makers, and machinists who need a reliable, dimensionally consistent stock material for fabricating punches, dies, jigs, and fixtures. Manufactured to AISI A2 tool steel specification, this flat bar measures 0.25 inches thick, 2.5 inches wide, and 18 inches long with a shipping weight of 3.19 pounds. Thickness, width, and squareness tolerances are held to a tight +0.010 to 0.015 inches, and length tolerance is +0.25 inches, making this stock suitable for precision toolroom applications where consistent oversize allowance for finish grinding is expected.

A2 air-hardening tool steel is a general-purpose cold-work tool steel with good dimensional stability during heat treatment and moderate wear resistance. This flat stock is commonly used in tool and die shops, maintenance and repair operations, and production toolrooms to produce custom cutting tools, forming dies, guides, and wear components. It is supplied in the annealed condition and is intended to be machined, ground, and then heat treated to final hardness by a qualified heat treater or in-shop furnace operation.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel for good dimensional stability during hardening
• Tight tolerance stock: +0.010 to 0.015 inches on thickness, width, and squareness
• Length tolerance of +0.25 inches provides grinding stock for precise final sizing
• Supplied in annealed condition for machinability prior to heat treatment
• Flat bar form factor suits die blanks, punches, wear strips, and fixture components

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 tool steel flat stock for general toolroom and die shop applications requiring AISI A2 material specification in a flat bar form.

Installation Notes

Machining and grinding of A2 tool steel flat stock should be performed in the annealed condition before heat treatment. Heat treatment to final hardness requires a qualified furnace operation following the recommended austenitizing and air-quench procedure for AISI A2 steel. Always use appropriate personal protective equipment when cutting, grinding, or handling tool steel bar stock. Consult applicable shop safety standards and material data sheets before processing.