Starrett 57540 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 1x1.25x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 57540 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who need tight-tolerance raw material for jigs, fixtures, dies, punches, and gauges. The bar measures 1 inch thick, 1-1/4 inches wide, and 18 inches long, and weighs 6.28 pounds. A2 tool steel offers good wear resistance and dimensional stability through the air-hardening heat treat cycle, making it a reliable choice when distortion control during hardening is a priority. Thickness and squareness tolerances are held to plus or minus 0.001 inches, reflecting the precision ground or precision-milled finish typical of this stock form.

This flat stock is suited for machine shops, tool and die operations, and maintenance departments that fabricate or repair tooling in-house. The 18-inch length provides enough material for most single-piece tooling applications without requiring a full bar cut. The 1 inch by 1-1/4 inch cross section fits common die set and fixture block applications where A2 is specified for its balance of toughness and wear resistance in the hardened condition.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel — good dimensional stability during heat treatment
• Thickness: 1 inch with plus or minus 0.001 inch tolerance
• Width: 1-1/4 inches with plus 0.000 to 0.005 inch tolerance
• Length: 18 inches with plus 0.250 inch tolerance
• Squareness tolerance: plus or minus 0.001 inch
• Weight: 6.28 pounds per piece

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock for toolmaking, die making, and fixture fabrication applications requiring AISI A2 material specification.

Installation Notes

Cutting, grinding, and machining should be performed by qualified machinists or toolmakers using appropriate metalworking equipment. Heat treatment of A2 tool steel requires controlled atmosphere or vacuum furnace equipment and should follow the material manufacturer's recommended austenitizing and tempering temperatures. Always allow the bar to reach a safe handling temperature after heat treatment before measuring or finishing. Follow applicable shop safety procedures when sawing, grinding, or handling tool steel stock.