Starrett 57217 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 3/4x3x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 57217 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock blank intended for toolmakers, die makers, and machinists who need precision-ground stock ready for layout, machining, and heat treatment. Measuring 0.75 inches thick, 3 inches wide, and 18 inches long, this flat stock is supplied in the annealed condition and is designed to be machined to final shape before air-hardening to achieve the high hardness and wear resistance characteristic of AISI A2 tool steel. Thickness, width, and squareness tolerances are held to plus 0.010 to 0.015 inches, and length tolerance is plus 0.25 inches, making it suitable for close-tolerance tooling applications.

This flat stock is used in tool and die shops, mold-making operations, and general precision machining environments. Typical applications include punches, dies, gauges, forming tools, and wear plates where moderate toughness combined with good dimensional stability during heat treatment is required. It is appropriate for both small job shops and production tool rooms handling light to medium tooling work. A licensed toolmaker or machinist should perform layout, machining, and heat treatment operations.

Key Features

• AISI A2 tool steel composition provides good wear resistance, moderate toughness, and minimal distortion during air-hardening
• Supplied as flat stock at 0.75 inches thick by 3 inches wide by 18 inches long for direct layout and machining
• Thickness, width, and squareness tolerances of plus 0.010 to 0.015 inches support close-tolerance tooling applications
• Length tolerance of plus 0.25 inches allows for facing and squaring to final dimension
• Annealed condition permits conventional milling, drilling, grinding, and EDM operations prior to hardening
• Package quantity of 1 piece with a minimum order quantity of 1

Compatibility

Designed as a general-purpose A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock suitable for machining into punches, dies, gauges, forming tools, and wear components in standard tool and die applications.

Installation Notes

All machining, grinding, and finishing operations should be completed before heat treatment. A2 tool steel is air-hardened, meaning it is brought to austenitizing temperature in a controlled furnace and then cooled in still air — quenching in oil or water is not appropriate for this grade. Wear appropriate PPE when grinding or machining hardened tool steel. Heat treatment should be performed by qualified personnel following established metallurgical procedures for AISI A2 tool steel.