A-2 Annealed
Tool & Die Steel PRODUCT
PACIFIC A2 is our most popular grade of cold work tool steel. It has better wear resistance and toughness than O1 plus the dimensional stability offered by air hardening qualities. Where even better wear is required (with a corresponding decrease in toughness) consider D2. Where more toughness is needed consider A6 or S7. If machinability is of prime importance, consider Graph-Air® (A10).
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Heat Analysis - ranges and limits %
1.00
.60
5.00
1.00
.25
FORGING:
Preheat to 1200/1250°F before raising to forging heat of 1850/2000°F, do not forge below 1650°F. Cool slowly to avoid cooling cracks; anneal after forging.
ANNEALING:
Heat slowly to 1550/1600°F and soak prior to cooling at a maximum rate of 40°F per hour to 1000°F (cooling rate below 1000°F is not critical). Typical annealed hardness is 201/235 HB.
STRESS RELIEVING:
Heat to 1200/1250°F and hold 1 hour minimum at temperature. Cool in air.
HARDENING:
Preheat at 1450°F. Austenitize at 1725/1775°F for 20 minutes for small tools to 45 minutes for large tools. Air cool as evenly as possible; as quenched hardness is usually 62/65 HRC. Temper immediately.
TEMPERING (Drawing):
Temper at 350/1000°F immediately after the tool has cooled to 120/150°F. Double tempering is suggested. Allow the tool to cool to room temperature before the final temper.
Approximate Hardness, HRC
63/65
61/63
60/62
55/61
58/60
57/59
57/59
57/59
57/59
56/58
49/52
42/45
Shapes and Conditions Available
Annealed Rounds through 10" Diameter
SE® Flats & Squares from 1/4" through 4" Thickness