At Southern Tool Steel, we specialize in supplying top-grade A2 Tool Steel, renowned for its versatility and toughness in various industrial applications. Whether you're manufacturing precision tools or requiring durable components for heavy-duty use, our extensive inventory and expert guidance ensure you receive the best materials tailored to your needs.
Why Partner with Southern Tool Steel?
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Comprehensive Stock: Full range of A2 Tool Steel in bars and plates
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Custom Solutions: Precision-cutting, and machining services available
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Fast Shipping: Nationwide delivery with quick lead times for in-stock items
What is A2 Tool Steel?
A2 Tool Steel is a versatile, air-hardening cold-work steel that combines high performance with excellent toughness. Its composition includes 5% chromium, providing exceptional hardness and dimensional stability after heat treatment, which minimizes distortion and cracking.
Key Attributes of A2 Tool Steel
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Air-Hardenability: Quenching in air reduces distortion compared to oil or water quenching.
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Dimensional Stability: Expansion of only 0.001 in./in. in cross-section during hardening.
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Toughness: Superior to many other cold-work tool steels, ideal for heavy-duty applications.
- Wear Resistance:Balanced properties suitable for applications requiring prolonged durability.
Chemical Composition
|
Element |
Percent (%) |
|
Carbon |
1.00 |
|
Silicon |
0.60 |
|
Chromium |
5.25 |
|
Vanadium |
0.25 |
|
Molybdenum |
1.10 |
|
Manganese |
0.60 |
Applications for A2 Steel:
A2 Tool Steel excels in a variety of industrial applications thanks to its combination of hardness and toughness. Here’s how it is typically used:
Industrial Forming Tools:
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Blanking Tools: Essential for cutting precise parts out of sheet metal.
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Punch Dies: Integral in manufacturing processes to form or cut material.
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Trimming Dies: Used for precise cutting and trimming of materials in automotive and aerospace sectors.
Precision Manufacturing:
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Precision Tools: High dimensional stability makes it ideal for gauges and templates.
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Thread Roller Dies: Ensures consistency in thread formation for fasteners.
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Molding Dies: Medium to high-volume production runs in plastics and metals.
Specialized Equipment:
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Extrusion Dies: Manufactures consistent cross-sections in plastic and metal extrusion.
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Woodworking Cutting Tools: Durable and reliable for cutting and shaping wood effectively.
Heat Treatment for A2 Tool Steel
Optimizing the properties of A2 Tool Steel requires precise control during the heat treatment process. Here's a guide to achieving the desired hardness and stability:
Typical Heat Treatment Process:
1. Preheating: Gradual heating to 1,150-1,250°F to relieve stress.
2. Austenitizing (High Heat): Heat to 1,750°F (954°C) to transform the steel structure.
3. Quenching: Usually in air to avoid distortion; optionally flash oil-quenching for sections over 3".
4. Tempering: Key to balancing hardness with toughness. Typical temperatures range from 350°-1000°F.
A2 Temperatures and Hardness
Hardness tests determine the various properties of a specific metal, which includes its resistance to wear, toughness, and formability. Two widely used tests are Rockwell C and Brinell. Rockwell C is measured in the unit HRC, which is the measurement used below.
Below is a chart detailing the relationship between tempering temperatures and resultant Rockwell Hardness (HRC):
|
Tempering Temperature (°F) |
Hardness (HRC) |
|
350°F |
61-62 HRC |
|
400°F |
60-61 HRC |
|
500°F |
57-59 HRC |
|
600°F |
54-56 HRC |
How Do You Temper A2 Tool Steel?
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Ideal Tempering Range: 350°-400°F for balancing toughness with hardness.
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Holding Time: Two hours per inch of the thickest section, ensures uniform hardness throughout.
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Double Tempering: Recommended for enhanced dimensional stability.
Shop A2 Tool Steel
Southern Tool Steel stocks A2 Tool Steel in:
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Decarb free*: Rounds, Flats, Squares, & Plate
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Drill rod in standard 36” lengths
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Flat ground in standard 36” lengths
*Decarb Free is material that has been ground top and bottom and is oversized to finish on the thickness or diameter. (Thickness or diameter oversize approx +.015 to +.030. Thinner material, less than 1 inch, could have more stock on the thickness. Width oversize approx +.030 to +.090, depending on the vendor.)
Contact our experts today or check instant pricing and availability for A2 Tool Steel.