The wear resistance properties and cost place a2 between that of o1 and d2 tool steel making it a good all purpose grade for many applications.
Machining a2 tool steel.
A2 tool steel properties a2 is also an air hardening tool steel but includes less than half the chromium 4 75 5 50 and a bit less carbon 0 95 1 05 than d2.
It s highly wear resistant and moderately tough.
It is heat treatable and will offer a hardness in the range 57 62 hrc.
Free machining plain carbon steels resulfurized 1212 1213 1215.
A2 tool steel is an air hardening cold work steel.
A2 tool steel a2 tool steel is an air hardening cold work chromium alloy die steel that is preferable to o1 tool steel in applications requiring greater size stability machinability and safer hardening.
Tool steels are difficult to machine without causing fractures from the re hardening of the outer layer surface.
Like d2 it is incredibly resistant to distortion during heat treating and is moderately machinable and grindable.
A2 is a 5 chromium steel which provides high hardness after heat treatment with good dimensional stability.
At the moment i m at a step where i need to machine with a 3mm end mill with a length of cut of at least 12mm due to some clearance issues so far i ve broken 3.
A2 is tougher than d2 steel and has better dimensional control after heat treatment than o1 steel.
Used for molding dies.
The wear resistance of a2 steel is intermediate between o1 and d2 steel and it has relatively good machining and grinding properties.
Our machinists know how to adjust the production process to relieve stress in the tool steel to maximize efficiency.