Starrett 57559 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 5/32x1/2x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 57559 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who need a reliable pre-cut blank for punches, dies, jigs, and fixtures. The bar measures 5/32 inches thick, 1/2 inch wide, and 18 inches long, with close-tolerance dimensions held to +0.010 to 0.015 inches on thickness, width, and squareness, and +0.25 inch on length. A2 tool steel offers good wear resistance, moderate toughness, and minimal distortion during air-hardening heat treatment, making it a practical choice for precision tooling applications where dimensional stability after hardening is critical.

This flat stock is suited for small-scale tooling work in job shops, tool and die operations, and maintenance departments. The compact 18-inch bar length is a standard starting size for machined components such as form punches, stripper keys, guide components, and custom cutting tools. It ships in a minimum order quantity of one piece, allowing single-piece procurement for prototype or repair work without committing to full bar stock lengths.

Key Features

• A2 air-hardening tool steel construction for minimal distortion during heat treatment
• Close-tolerance milling: +0.010 to 0.015 inches on thickness, width, and squareness
• Length tolerance held to +0.25 inch on the 18-inch bar
• Ready-to-machine flat stock requiring no additional surface prep before layout
• Single-piece minimum order quantity for low-volume or repair use

Compatibility

Designed as a general-purpose A2 tool steel flat stock blank suitable for tool and die, punch and die sets, jig components, and fixture elements where air-hardening steel with close dimensional tolerances is specified.

Installation Notes

Machining and heat treatment of tool steel should be performed by qualified machinists and heat treaters familiar with AISI A2 tool steel procedures. Always follow the steel manufacturer's recommended hardening and tempering cycle for A2 material. Use appropriate cutting fluids and carbide tooling when machining. Allow the bar to reach a stable temperature before taking final measurements, as thermal expansion can affect close-tolerance work.