What is tool steel A2?

What is tool steel A2?

AISI A2 Tool Steel is an air-hardening grade of steel that contains 5% chromium. A2 is noted for its good toughness and excellent dimensional stability in heat treatment. These characteristics make it a versatile tool steel that combines good performance and price.

What is A2 tool steel made of?

Chromium steel
A2 tool steel is an air hardening, cold work steel. A2 is a 5% Chromium steel which provides high hardness after heat treatment with good dimensional stability. It is heat treatable and will offer a hardness in the range 57-62 HRC.

What is the microstructure of tool steel?

The core microstructure (d) is unresolvable pearlite, which is better revealed with picral than nital (nital is orientation sensitive and some pearlite colonies will be lightly etched).

How tough is A2 tool steel?

A2 tool steel properties It’s highly wear-resistant and moderately tough. Like D2, it is incredibly resistant to distortion during heat treating and is moderately machinable and grindable. Popular hardness ranges for A2 run between 57 – 62 HRC with a yield strength range between 185 ksi – 230 ksi.

How do you quench A2?

Hold the workpiece at the hardening temperature until it is completely and uniformly heated. A2 is an air hardening steel and will develop full hardness on cooling in still air….TEMPERING.

Tempering Temperature°F Rockwell C
300 62
400 60
500 58
600 56

How do you quench A2 steel?

Use high side of hardening range for thicker sections. Soak at temperature 20 – 25 minutes per inch of thickness. To minimize surface decarburization, use salt bath, controlled atmosphere furnace or pack harden. Quench in still air or dry air blast to below 150°F and temper immediately.

Is A2 a carbon steel?

Description: A high carbon alloy steel. A2 is known for taking a very fine keen edge. The chromium provides some corrosion resistance.

What’s the difference between A2 and D2 steel?

A2 tool steel is often regarded as a “universal” cold work steel, offering a combination of good wear resistance and high toughness. D2 tool steel is harder and more wear-resistant, but less tough. Both can be used for cutting and forming tools, or other applications where high hardness are valued.

What is the etchant used for tool steels?

nital
The etchant most widely used for tool steels is nital. Concentrations from 2 to 10% have been used. Generally, 2 or 3% nital is adequate for most tool steels while a 10% concentration is required for highly alloyed tool steels, such as the D types.

What is Tool Steel made out of?

Tool steels comprise carbide-forming elements such as chromium, vanadium, molybdenum and tungsten in different combinations. They also contain cobalt or nickel which improves their high-temperature performance.

How do you harden A2?

Hardening Tools made from A2 tool steel may be hardened by placing them in a furnace maintained at a temperature of 1725/1775°F (940/969°C). Let the tools heat naturally to the furnace temperature, soak for 20 minutes plus 5 minutes per inch of thickness and air quench.

Can you oil quench A2 steel?

Quenching: Air, pressurized gas, or interrupted oil to 150-125°F(66-51°C). For the oil quench, quench until black, about 900°F (482°C), then cool in still air to 150-125°F(66-51°C).