Starrett 57348 A2 Tool Steel Air-hardening Flat Stock

Product Description

The STARRETT 57348 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who need a precision-ground blank ready for heat treatment. It measures 0.5 inches thick, 1.25 inches wide, and 36 inches long, and weighs approximately 7.33 pounds. AISI A2 tool steel offers excellent dimensional stability during air hardening, making it a preferred choice for punches, dies, gauges, and cutting tools where tight tolerances must be maintained through the hardening cycle. The bar ships in an annealed condition and is machined to close tolerances on all faces.

This flat stock is suited for job shops, toolrooms, and production die-making operations in both light industrial and heavy manufacturing environments. Typical applications include blanking dies, form punches, trim dies, and precision gauging components. The 36-inch length allows machinists to cut multiple blanks from a single bar. The combination of controlled width, thickness, and squareness tolerances reduces the amount of material removal required before layout and machining begin.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel for excellent size stability during heat treatment
• Thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches for consistent stock removal
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches
• Length tolerance of plus 0.25 inches
• Square tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches; edge squareness 0.003 inches per inch
• Ships annealed and ready for machining prior to heat treatment

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 tool steel flat stock blank for use in toolroom, die-making, and precision machining applications requiring air-hardening material.

Installation Notes

Cutting and machining of tool steel flat stock should be performed by qualified machinists using appropriate coolant and tooling rated for hardened or semi-hardened steels. Heat treatment, including austenitizing and air-hardening cycles, should follow AISI A2 guidelines and be performed by a qualified heat treater. Secure the bar properly in a vise or fixture before cutting to prevent movement. Allow the bar to reach ambient temperature before taking final measurements after any machining operation.