Starrett 57588 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 0.25x12x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 57588 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock blank sized at 0.25 inches thick, 12 inches wide, and 18 inches long. A2 tool steel is a cold-work die steel known for its dimensional stability during heat treatment and its balance of toughness and wear resistance. This flat stock ships in an annealed, machinable condition and is intended to be machined to near-net shape, then air-hardened to final hardness by a qualified heat treater. Machinists, toolmakers, and die makers use this material to produce punches, dies, gauges, and precision tooling components. The piece weighs approximately 15.3 pounds.

This flat stock is suited for tool and die shops, production machining operations, and maintenance departments that fabricate or repair press tooling in-house. The large 12-inch by 18-inch face provides sufficient stock for mid-size die sections, fixture plates, or blanking tooling. The 0.25-inch thickness is a common starting dimension for thin die plates and wear pads. AISI A2 material is frequently specified where oil-hardening steels offer insufficient stability and where the air-quench cycle reduces distortion risk on flat geometry.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel — reduced distortion during heat treatment compared to oil-hardening grades
• 0.25-inch thickness with a controlled tolerance of +0.010 to +0.015 inches
• 12-inch width with a tolerance of +0.010 to +0.015 inches
• 18-inch length with a tolerance of +0.25 inches
• Square tolerance of +0.010 to +0.015 inches for consistent flat reference surfaces
• Ships annealed for ease of machining prior to hardening

Compatibility

Designed as a general-purpose A2 tool steel flat stock for custom fabrication of dies, punches, gauges, and precision tooling components; no specific OEM equipment compatibility is stated for this stock material.

Installation Notes

Machining and finishing operations should be completed before heat treatment. Air-hardening of A2 steel should be performed by a qualified heat treater following established metallurgical procedures. Use appropriate personal protective equipment and follow shop safety protocols when cutting, grinding, or machining tool steel. Consult applicable OSHA and ANSI machining safety standards before processing this material.