Starrett 57582 A2 Tool Steel Air-hardening Flat Stock

Product Description

The STARRETT 57582 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar measuring 0.25 inches thick, 0.75 inches wide, and 18 inches long. A2 tool steel offers excellent dimensional stability during heat treatment and good wear resistance, making it a reliable choice for dies, punches, gauges, and precision tooling components. This flat stock ships in an oversize condition relative to finished tolerance, allowing machinists and toolmakers to grind or machine to final dimension. Thickness, width, and squareness tolerances are held to plus 0.010 to 0.015 inches, and length tolerance is held to plus 0.25 inches.

This flat stock is suited for job shops, tool and die operations, and maintenance departments that require small quantities of precision tool steel in a ready-to-machine form. A2 grade is a popular choice where through-hardening with minimal distortion is required, such as in blanking dies, forming tools, and precision fixtures. The 18-inch length accommodates a broad range of tooling layouts without requiring additional cutoff before machining begins.

Key Features

• A2 air-hardening tool steel per AISI material specification
• Thickness and width tolerances held to plus 0.010 to 0.015 inches for predictable stock allowance
• Length tolerance of plus 0.25 inches ensures full usable length
• Square tolerance of plus 0.010 to 0.015 inches supports accurate layout and fixturing
• Single-piece minimum order quantity allows low-volume procurement without excess inventory

Compatibility

Designed as a general-purpose A2 tool steel flat stock blank suitable for machining, grinding, and heat treating into dies, punches, gauges, and similar precision tooling components.

Installation Notes

Cutting and machining of tool steel flat stock should be performed by qualified machinists or toolmakers using appropriate cutting fluids and tooling rated for hard materials. Follow established heat-treatment procedures for A2 tool steel, including proper austenitizing temperature, air-quench cooling, and double-tempering cycles, to achieve target hardness and minimize distortion. Personal protective equipment including eye protection and cut-resistant gloves is required during handling and machining operations.