Huaxia Steel — Professional Cold Work Tool Steel Supplier
15+ years of experience | ISO 9001 & SGS Certified | Factory-direct pricing | Custom sizes available | Worldwide shipping
What is A2 TOOL STEEL?
AISI A2 tool steel is an air-hardening, medium-alloy (5% Cr) cold work tool steel that delivers an ideal balance of toughness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability. Unlike O1 which requires oil quenching, A2 hardens in still air—dramatically reducing the risk of distortion and cracking during heat treatment. This makes A2 the go-to choice for complex die shapes, large cross-sections, and applications where tight tolerances must be maintained after hardening.
At Huaxia Steel, we supply A2 tool steel fully conforming to ASTM A681 and DIN 1.2363 / X100CrMoV5 standards. Available as precision-ground flat stock, round bars, and hot-rolled plates, our A2 comes with complete mill certification and traceability.
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We offer custom sizes, competitive pricing, and fast global delivery.
Chemical Composition (wt%)
| Element | Min (%) | Max (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.95 | 1.05 |
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.50 |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 1.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) | — | 0.030 |
| Sulfur (S) | — | 0.030 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 4.75 | 5.50 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.90 | 1.40 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.15 | 0.50 |
Data per ASTM A681 / equivalent standards (2025/2026 Reference).
Mechanical & Physical Properties
- Hardness (Annealed): 201-248 HB
- Hardness (Air Hardened + Tempered): 57-62 HRC
- Tensile Strength: ~1,750 MPa (254 ksi)
- Compressive Strength: ~2,400 MPa
- Density: 7.86 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³)
- Elastic Modulus: 207 GPa (30,000 ksi)
- Thermal Conductivity (20°C): 26 W/m·K
Heat Treatment Guide
| Process | Temperature | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Annealing | 845-870°C (1550-1600°F) | Furnace cool slowly; hardness 201-248 HB |
| Preheating | 790°C (1450°F) | Equalize thoroughly before ramping to hardening temp |
| Austenitizing | 940-980°C (1725-1795°F) | 30-45 min soak; quench in still air |
| Quenching | Still air (or pressurized air) | Achieves 62-64 HRC as-quenched |
| Tempering | 175-540°C (350-1000°F) | Double temper recommended; 175°C→62 HRC, 260°C→59 HRC, 540°C→57 HRC |
Need Custom Heat Treatment Advice?
Our engineers can recommend optimal heat treatment parameters for your specific application.
Common Applications
- Blanking & trimming dies (medium production)
- Forming & bending dies
- Coining dies (where toughness is critical)
- Gauges & precision measuring tools
- Master dies & hobs
- Shear blades for medium-gauge material
- Plastic injection mold cavities
- Slitter knives & rotary cutters
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard / Country | Grade Designation | Details |
|---|---|---|
| USA (AISI/SAE) | A2 | UNS T30102, ASTM A681 |
| Germany (DIN) | 1.2363 | X100CrMoV5 |
| EU (EN ISO) | X100CrMoV5 | EN ISO 4957 |
| Japan (JIS) | SKD12 | JIS G4404 |
| China (GB) | Cr5Mo1V | GB/T 1299 |
| UK (BS) | BA2 | BS 4659 |
Available Forms & Dimensions
Round bars (dia 8-400mm), Flat bars (thickness 3-120mm), Plates (thickness 2-150mm, width up to 1500mm), Precision-ground flat stock available
Custom sizes: Available upon request. Contact us with your specifications for a tailored quotation.
Why Choose Huaxia Steel as Your A2 TOOL STEEL Supplier?
Factory-Direct Pricing
Eliminate middlemen. Our direct mill partnerships ensure competitive pricing on every order, from small prototype quantities to container loads.
Certified Quality
Every shipment includes full mill test certificates (MTC/EN 10204 3.1). ISO 9001 certified. Third-party SGS inspection available on request.
Custom Processing
Cut-to-size, precision sawing, surface grinding, and heat treatment services. We deliver material ready for your production line.
Fast Global Logistics
Efficient shipping to North America, Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Standard lead time 7-15 days for stock items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum hardness achievable with A2 tool steel?
The maximum hardness depends on the specific grade. After proper heat treatment, typical maximum hardness ranges from 58-67 HRC. Refer to the heat treatment table above for specific tempering curves.
Q: Can A2 tool steel be welded?
Most tool steels can be welded for repair purposes, but it requires proper preheating, low-hydrogen electrodes, and post-weld heat treatment. For high-chromium grades like D2, welding is generally not recommended for structural applications. Always consult the manufacturer’s welding guidelines.
Q: What is the difference between A2 and other tool steel grades?
Each tool steel grade is optimized for specific applications. The key differentiators are wear resistance, toughness, hot hardness, and heat treatment method (air/oil/water). Compare grades based on your specific requirements: wear resistance (D2 > A2 > O1), toughness (S7 > H13 > A2), and hot hardness (M2 > H13 > D2).
Q: How do I order A2 tool steel from Huaxia Steel?
Simply contact us via the form on this page, email, or phone. Provide the grade, dimensions (thickness x width x length or diameter x length), quantity, and any special requirements such as surface finish or heat treatment condition. Our team will respond with a tailored quotation within 12 hours.
Q: What certifications do your tool steel products carry?
All Huaxia Steel tool steel products are supplied with full Mill Test Certificates (MTC/EN 10204 3.1) showing chemical composition and mechanical properties. We are ISO 9001:2015 certified, and third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV) is available upon request at no extra charge for orders above 5 tons.
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Factory-direct pricing. ISO & SGS certified quality. Fast global logistics. Get your quote in 12 hours.
