Starrett 57198 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 0.5x2x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 57198 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who need a reliable, machinable blank before heat treatment. Measuring 0.5 inches thick by 2 inches wide by 18 inches long, this flat stock is supplied in the annealed condition, ready for machining, grinding, and fitting prior to hardening. A2 tool steel offers a balanced combination of wear resistance and toughness, making it a standard choice for punches, dies, gauges, and similar toolroom components. The piece ships at approximately 5.1 pounds.

This flat stock is suited for job shops, tool and die operations, and maintenance facilities that fabricate or repair cutting tools, forming dies, and precision fixtures. The 18-inch length allows cutting to multiple shorter blanks from a single piece. The annealed A2 material machines cleanly with conventional high-speed tooling and responds predictably to air-hardening heat treatment cycles, reducing distortion compared to oil-hardening grades. It is a practical choice for low-to-medium production tooling applications in both industrial and prototype environments.

Key Features

• A2 air-hardening tool steel — lower distortion during hardening than O1 oil-hardening grade
• Supplied annealed for ease of machining before heat treatment
• Thickness tolerance: +0.010 to 0.015 inches for consistent stock removal planning
• Width tolerance: +0.010 to 0.015 inches
• Length tolerance: +0.25 inches
• Square tolerance: +0.010 to 0.015 inches

Compatibility

Designed as a general-purpose A2 tool steel flat bar suitable for toolroom fabrication of punches, dies, fixtures, and gauges wherever AISI A2 air-hardening material is specified.

Installation Notes

Cutting, grinding, and machining should be performed in the annealed condition before heat treatment. Heat treatment of A2 tool steel requires controlled atmosphere or salt-bath furnace equipment and should be performed by a qualified heat treater following recognized AISI guidelines. Eye protection, appropriate grinding guards, and chip containment are required during machining and cutoff operations. Handle sharp-edged stock with cut-resistant gloves.