Starrett 57190 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 3/8 X 3 X 18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 57190 is a precision-ground flat stock bar made from AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel. It measures 3/8 inch thick, 3 inches wide, and 18 inches long, making it a practical blank for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who need reliable pre-cut stock ready for further machining or heat treatment. A2 tool steel offers good wear resistance and dimensional stability after heat treatment, and its air-hardening characteristic reduces the risk of warping or cracking during hardening compared to oil-hardening grades. Thickness, width, and squareness tolerances are held to +0.010 to +0.015 inches, and length tolerance is +0.250 inch.

This flat stock is suited for fabricating punches, dies, gauges, shear blades, and general toolroom components in both job shop and production environments. The 18-inch length gives enough material to cut multiple blanks from a single piece, reducing setup time. It ships at 5.74 pounds, which is consistent with a solid A2 bar of these dimensions. Machinists, tool-and-die makers, and industrial maintenance technicians are the primary end users.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel — stable, predictable hardening with minimal distortion
• Thickness: 3/8 inch with tolerance of +0.010 to +0.015 inches
• Width: 3 inches with tolerance of +0.010 to +0.015 inches
• Length: 18 inches with tolerance of +0.250 inch
• Squareness tolerance held to +0.010 to +0.015 inches
• Ready-to-machine flat bar — no rough shearing or significant stock removal required before layout

Compatibility

Designed as a standard flat tool steel blank suitable for toolroom fabrication, die making, punch manufacture, and gauge work wherever AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel stock of this size is specified.

Installation Notes

Cutting, grinding, and heat treating A2 tool steel should be performed by qualified machinists or tool-and-die makers following established shop safety practices. Eye protection, appropriate cutting fluids, and proper ventilation are required during machining operations. Heat treatment — including hardening and tempering — should follow the material manufacturer's recommendations for A2 tool steel and be performed in a controlled atmosphere or with appropriate anti-scaling precautions. Handle bar stock carefully to avoid edge damage that could affect layout accuracy.