A2 tool steel steel enjoys a stellar reputation for its outstanding roller-resistance, hardness and versatility across a wide range of industrial settings. Chromium steel is a carbon steel alloy that often composes of 1.00% carbon, 5.00% chromium, 1.00% molybdenum and 0.30% of manganese. Its high chromium content confers to it excellent corrosion and edge retention characteristics, as well as its very reason why it is a good material for tooling and precision instruments. This kind of steel is typically of heat-treatment nature, which is then hardened and toughened in order to achieve a fairly high hardness, around 60 to 62 in HRC after quenching. Due to its chemical structure the A2 steel is used for making a high variety of tools like the dies, cutting tools and it can also be used for the various operations of punching, forming and stamping. The table, chart and the PDF's are available to everyone in the website for detailed reference of A2 tool steel properties and grades.
A2 tool steel, with its superior wear resistance and a decent level of toughness, has become an excellent choice for tooling due to its wide application. The material is usually made up of carbon, chromium, manganese, silicon, molybdenum, vanadium and phosphorus, each present in percentages of 1.00% carbon, 5.25% chromium, 1.00% molybdenum, 0.30% manganese, 0.30% silicon, Beside it also has sulfur and copper in smaller quantities. Thus, A2 steel, apart from possessing remarkable cutting edge and stability during heat treatments, enjoys such a premium. A2 is included in the ASTM A681 standard that has air-hardening property and is characterized as medium-alloy, cold-work tool steel grade.
Elements | C | Cr | Mo | V | Cu | Ni | Si | P | Mn | S | Fe |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Min (%) | 0.95 | 4.75 | 0.9 | 0.15 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Max (%) | 1.05 | 5.5 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.25 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.03 | 1 | 0.03 | Balance |
Advantages:
Wear Resistance: High microhardness correlates with wear resistance, enhancing tool lifespan.
Dimensional Stability: Maintains stable dimensions after heat treatment.
Toughness: Good toughness enhances the ability to withstand stress, reducing cracking or breaking.
Machinability: Easier to machine than many other tool steels, especially when annealed.
Disadvantages:
Cost: More expensive than several pure carbon steels and lower alloy steels.
Heat Treatment Complexity: Requires precise heat treatment processes to achieve desired characteristics.
Corrosion Resistance: Needs additional anti-corrosive measures in harsh environments.
Initial Hardness: Resistant to wear in an annealed state but requires hardening for certain uses.
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