Tool Steel A2

Aging Procedure

Not applicable to this alloy.

Annealing Procedure

Anneal at 1575 F and slow cool in the furnace at a rate of 40 F per hour or less.

Applications

Used of die shapes, slitters and similar applications where wear resistance is important.

Cold Workability

Cold working is done with the alloy in the annealed condition.

Forgeability

Forging temperature range is 2000 F to 1675 F. Do not forge below 1650 F.

Formability

Forming is done by hot forging or machining.

Hardening Procedure

See "Heat Treatment" and "Tempering".

Heat Treatability

Heat slowly to 1450 F and then increase temperature to 1750 F. Hold at 1750 F for 30 to 45 minutes then remove from furnace and air cool (air quench).

Hot Workability

No data in regard to hot working, other than forging. Contact the alloy supplier for information.

Machinability

Machinability is medium, about 85% that of the W group of tool steels which are rated at 100% for a baseline.

Principle Design Features

This alloy is one of the Cold Work, Medium Air Hardening type tool steels. It contains chromium and molybdenum with a relatively high (1%) carbon content and is capable of deep hardening from air quench so as to minimize distortion.

Tempering Procedure

A2 is tempered after heat treating at temperatures ranging from 350 F for Rockwell C 62 to 1000 F for Rockwell C 56.

Weldability

This is an alloy steel and thus capable of being welded. Consult the alloy supplier for welding procedures.