Starrett 57581 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 0.25x0.5x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 57581 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar measuring 0.25 inches thick, 0.5 inches wide, and 18 inches long. A2 tool steel is an air-hardening, cold-work die steel known for its dimensional stability during heat treatment and its balance of toughness and wear resistance. This flat stock is precision-ground to close tolerances, making it suitable for tool and die makers, machinists, and mold makers who need reliable raw stock for fabricating punches, dies, gauges, and similar precision tooling components. The piece weighs 0.64 pounds and ships as a single unit.

This flat stock is used in job shops, tool rooms, and manufacturing facilities where precision cold-work tooling is produced. It is an appropriate starting material for applications requiring moderate wear resistance combined with good toughness after hardening, such as blanking dies, forming tools, and short-run stamping tooling. The 18-inch length provides workable stock for most bench-scale tooling projects without requiring additional cut-down from longer bar stock.

Key Features

• A2 air-hardening tool steel offers excellent dimensional stability during heat treat, reducing post-hardening grinding
• Tight thickness, width, and square tolerances of plus 0.010 to 0.015 inches support accurate layout and machining
• Length tolerance of plus 0.25 inches provides consistent stock length across pieces
• Single-piece packaging with no minimum order quantity beyond one unit
• AISI Type A2 material specification for traceable material identification

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 air-hardening tool steel flat bar for use in general tool and die fabrication applications where AISI A2 cold-work tool steel is specified.

Installation Notes

A2 tool steel flat stock is machined, ground, and heat-treated by qualified tool and die makers or machinists. Follow established shop practices for cutting and grinding tool steel, including appropriate coolant use to prevent overheating the material edge. Heat treatment should follow the material manufacturer's recommended austenitizing and air-quench procedure for AISI A2 steel. Handle precision-ground stock carefully to avoid nicking or burring the ground surfaces before use.