Starrett 57513 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 5/32x1/2x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 57513 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who need consistent, precision-ground flat stock ready for heat treatment. Measuring 5/32 inches thick, 1/2 inch wide, and 18 inches long, this bar holds tight dimensional tolerances throughout: thickness and squareness are each held to plus or minus 0.001 inches, width to plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches, and length to plus 0.250 inches. A2 tool steel offers a good balance of wear resistance and toughness, making it a reliable choice for punches, dies, gauges, and similar tooling applications.

This flat stock is used in job shops, tool and die operations, and maintenance departments where custom tooling or replacement tool components must be machined from bar stock and then air-hardened. The 18-inch length allows typical tooling blanks to be cut to size with minimal material waste. A2 grade is well suited for applications that require dimensional stability during heat treatment, including intricate die sections and forming tools. Professional machinists and tool and die makers are the primary users of this material.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel for good wear resistance and dimensional stability during heat treat
• Thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches for precision fitment in tooling applications
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches ensures consistent stock width
• Squareness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches supports accurate layout and machining
• Length tolerance of plus 0.250 inches allows for facing and parting to finished dimension
• Ships as a single bar with no minimum order beyond one piece

Compatibility

Designed as a general-purpose A2 tool steel flat bar for machining and heat-treating into custom punches, dies, gauges, and tooling components where air-hardening steel is specified.

Installation Notes

Cutting, grinding, and machining of tool steel flat stock should be performed by qualified machinists using appropriate coolant to prevent localized overheating at the workpiece surface. Heat treatment of A2 tool steel, including hardening and tempering cycles, should follow the material supplier guidelines and be performed by personnel trained in tool steel metallurgy. Always wear appropriate PPE when cutting or grinding steel bar stock. Consult applicable shop safety codes before heat-treating operations.