CNC MACHINING MATERIALS

A2 Tool Steel

At a glance

ProcessesLead Time

Finishing Options

TolerancePriceApplications
CNC Mill
CNC Lathe
EDM Hobbing
As fast as 7 days
Media Blasting, Vibratory Tumbling, Black Oxide, Powdercoating
With drawing: as low as +/- 0.005 mmNo drawing: ISO 2768 medium
$$$
Tools, fixtures, tool holders, punches

About the Material

A2 Tool Steel offers excellent wear resistance and toughness. Due to its high compressive strength and dimensional stability, this material is commonly used to make fixtures, tools, tool holders, gauges and punches. D2 Tool Steel is an air-hardening material, and it offers superior wear-resistance when compared to A2 Tool Steel. D2 is most often used for stamps/dies and cutting blades.

Materials Properties

Yield Strength

Elongation at Break

Hardness

Density

Maximum Temp

McMaster Part Number

55,000 PSI
22%
Rockwell B90
0.284 lbs / cu. in
 
89885k117

D2 Tool Steel

Yield Strength (tensile)

Elongation at Break

Hardness

Density

Maximum Temp

McMaster Part Number

55,000 PSI
22%
Rockwell B90
0.284 lbs / cu. in
 
89885k117

Material Finish

Very similar to other grades of mild steel, tool steel is generally shiny in appearance and slightly darker than aluminum alloys. For corrosion resistance, black oxide can be applied post-machining. To achieve a variety of surface finishes, tool steel parts can also be media blasted or tumbled.

 

Design Recommendations

 

Min Wall Thickness

Min End Mill Size

Min Drill Size

Max Part Size

Undercuts

Radii : Depth

0.5 mm
0.8 mm (0.03 in)
0.5 mm (0.02 in)
1200 x 500 x 152 mm [x,y,z] (mill)
152 x 394 mm [d,h] (lathe)
Square profile, full radius, dovetail profiles
Depth must not exceed 12x drill bit diameter.
For end mills, depth must not exceed 10x tool diameter.

Cost Saving Tip

To reduce costs, limit the number of part setups, the number of inspection dimensions or tight tolerances, and deep pockets with small radii.

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