Starrett 57193 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 3/8x5x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 57193 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who require consistent, close-tolerance steel blanks ready for grinding and heat treatment. This flat stock measures 3/8 inch thick, 5 inches wide, and 18 inches long, with a thickness tolerance of +0.010 to 0.015 inches, a width tolerance of +0.010 to 0.015 inches, and a length tolerance of +0.25 inches. A2 tool steel is an air-hardening, cold-work die steel known for its excellent dimensional stability during heat treatment, good wear resistance, and moderate toughness — making it a reliable choice for dies, punches, gauges, and precision tooling components.

This flat stock is suited for job shops, tool and die operations, and maintenance departments that fabricate or refurbish cutting tools, form dies, blanking dies, and similar cold-work tooling. The 18-inch length and 5-inch width provide enough material for multiple parts to be cut from a single bar. The A2 grade machines reasonably well in the annealed state before hardening, which simplifies layout and preliminary machining operations. This stock arrives in the annealed condition, ready for machining prior to air-hardening heat treatment.

Key Features

• A2 air-hardening tool steel — excellent dimensional stability during heat treat, minimizing post-hardening grinding stock
• Thickness: 3/8 inches with +0.010 to 0.015 inch tolerance for predictable stock removal
• Width: 5 inches with +0.010 to 0.015 inch tolerance
• Length: 18 inches with +0.25 inch tolerance
• AISI A2 material specification — cold-work die steel with good wear resistance and moderate toughness
• Single-piece minimum order quantity supports small-batch fabrication and repair work

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock blank suitable for cold-work tooling applications including dies, punches, gauges, and forming tools where controlled heat treat distortion is required.

Installation Notes

A2 tool steel flat stock is machined, ground, and heat treated by qualified toolmakers or machinists. Standard shop practices for cold-work tool steel apply: machine in the annealed state, leaving adequate grinding stock before heat treatment. Air-hardening heat treatment should be performed by personnel familiar with A2 steel specifications and the equipment manufacturer guidelines for austenitizing temperature, soak time, and air-cool procedure. Always wear appropriate PPE when handling and machining tool steel stock, and follow established shop safety procedures for grinding and heat treat operations.