With its main office in Houston, Texas, George Metals is a well-known producer and supplier of high-performance tool and die steels that meet the demands of numerous industrial sectors. George Metals, which is dedicated to accuracy and quality, provides a variety of durable materials, such as the well-known A2 Tool and Die Steel Bars. A2 bars are well-known for their exceptional toughness, dimensional stability, and wear resistance, making them perfect for cold work applications like die, punch, and cutting tool manufacturing. George Metals continues to be a reputable brand in engineered steel solutions by placing a high priority on quality control, timely delivery, and client satisfaction.
A2 Tool and Die In addition to trace amounts of manganese, silicon, and sulfur, steel bars are cold-work, air-hardening steels made of carbon (1.0–1.2%), chromium (5.0–5.5%), molybdenum (~1.0%), and vanadium (0.3–0.4%). High hardness, wear resistance, and toughness are all balanced in this alloy formulation. After heat treatment, the steel reaches a hardness of 57–62 HRC and a tensile strength of 1,700–2,200 MPa. A2 steel is perfect for precision tooling and cold work applications because it provides exceptional dimensional stability during hardening and resists deformation and cracking under high-stress circumstances.
| ASTM A681 | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | V | Mo | ||||||
| A2/T30102 | 0.95 | 1.05 | 0.40 | 1.00 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.10 | 0.50 | 4.75 | 5.50 | 0.15 | 0.50 | 0.90 | 1.40 |
| DIN ISO 4957 | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | V | Mo | ||||||
| 1.2363/X100CrMoV5 | 0.95 | 1.05 | 0.40 | 0.80 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.10 | 0.40 | 4.80 | 5.50 | 0.15 | 0.35 | 0.90 | 1.20 |
| JIS G4404 | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | V | Mo | ||||||
| SKD12 | 0.95 | 1.05 | 0.40 | 0.80 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.10 | 0.40 | 4.80 | 5.50 | 0.15 | 0.35 | 0.90 | 1.20 |
| BS 4659 | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | V | Mo | ||||||
| BA2 | 0.95 | 1.05 | 0.30 | 0.70 | 0.035 | 0.035 | . . . | 0.40 | 4.75 | 5.25 | 0.15 | 0.40 | 0.90 | 1.10 |
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
| Hardness, Rockwell C (as air-hardened (63-65 HRC average), 60-62 HRC at 205°C, 59-61 HRC at 260°C, 58-60 HRC at 315°C, 57-59 HRC at 370°C and 425°C and 480°C, 56-58 HRC at 540°C, 50-52 HRC at 595°C, 42-44 HRC at 650°C) | 64 | 64 |
| Bulk modulus (typical for steels) | 140 GPa | 20300 ksi |
| Machinability (based on carbon tool steel) | 65% | 65% |
| Shear modulus | 78.0 GPa | 11300 ksi |
| Poisson’s ratio | 0.27-0.30 | 0.27-0.30 |
| Elastic modulus | 190-210 GPa | 27557-30457 ksi |
| Country | USA | German | Japan | British |
| Standard | ASTM A681 | DIN EN ISO 4957 | JIS G4404 | BS 4659 |
| Grades | A2/T30102 | 1.2363/X100CrMoV5 | SKD12 | BA2 |
| Properties | Conditions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| T (°C) | Treatment | ||
| Thermal expansion | 10.7 x 10-6/ºC | 20-100 | – |
The standard annealing temperature for A2 tool and die steel bars is typically between 800°C to 850°C (1472°F to 1562°F), followed by slow cooling to relieve internal stresses and soften the material.
A2 tool and die steel bars resist corrosion through their high chromium content, forming a protective oxide layer that enhances resistance to rust and wear, especially in cold-work applications.
Tool and die steel A2 bars should be stored in a dry, cool environment, away from moisture and corrosive elements. Ensure proper ventilation and avoid direct contact with the ground to prevent rust.
A2 Tool and Die Because of their exceptional toughness, edge retention, and wear resistance, steel bars are frequently used in cold work toolmaking. High dimensional accuracy and wear resistance are crucial in typical applications, such as dies, punches, molds, blanking tools, and forming tools. Additionally, A2 steel is preferred for use in cutting tools, gauges, blades, drill guides, and fixtures that require minimal distortion during the hardening process and edge sharpness. Precision engineering and complex tool designs benefit greatly from its resilience to repeated impacts and ability to retain sharp edges, particularly in sectors that demand reliable performance under heavy loads.






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