Bohler-Uddeholm,AISI A2 Cold Work Tool Steel Sheet,Plate

Bohler-Uddeholm AISI A2 Cold Work Tool Steel Sheet/Plate Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm AISI A2 Cold Work Tool Steel Sheet/Plate Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Bohler-Uddeholm AISI A2 Cold Work Tool Steel Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Böhler-Uddeholm AISI A2 Cold Work Tool Steel** ## **Product Overview** **Böhler-Uddeholm AISI A2** is a versatile, medium-alloy, **air-hardening cold work tool steel** that offers an optimal balance of wear resistance, toughness, and dimensional stability. As one of the most widely used tool steels globally, A2 represents a significant upgrade from oil-hardening grades like O1 by providing deeper hardenability, reduced distortion during heat treatment, and better wear resistance. It maintains good machinability while delivering reliable performance for a broad spectrum of demanding tooling applications, making it a fundamental workhorse material in precision tool and die making. --- ## **1. Key Characteristics & Advantages** - **Excellent Dimensional Stability:** Air-hardening characteristic produces minimal distortion and size change compared to oil-hardening steels, critical for precision tools. - **Good Toughness:** Offers superior toughness to higher-carbon, high-chromium steels like D2, reducing susceptibility to chipping and cracking. - **High Wear Resistance:** Provides significantly better wear resistance than O1-grade steels due to higher alloy content and hard carbide formation. - **Deep Hardenability:** Can be through-hardened in larger sections (up to 100mm/4") while maintaining consistent properties. - **Good Machinability:** Machines readily in annealed condition with proper tooling and techniques. - **Simplified Heat Treatment:** Air quenching reduces the risk of cracking associated with rapid oil quenching. - **Balanced Performance:** Represents the optimal compromise between wear resistance, toughness, and cost for many applications. --- ## **2. Typical Chemical Composition (Weight %)** | Element | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Vanadium (V) | Manganese (Mn) | Silicon (Si) | | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | | **Content** | 0.95-1.05 | 4.75-5.50 | 0.90-1.40 | 0.15-0.50 | 0.40-1.00 | 0.15-0.50 | **Alloying Rationale:** - **Carbon (1.00%):** Provides matrix hardness and forms chromium carbides for wear resistance. - **Chromium (5.00%):** Primary carbide former for wear resistance and contributes to hardenability. - **Molybdenum (1.00%):** Enhances hardenability, promotes secondary hardening, and refines grain structure. - **Vanadium (0.25%):** Forms hard vanadium carbides that increase wear resistance and inhibit grain growth. - **Manganese & Silicon:** Aid in deoxidation and contribute to hardenability. --- ## **3. Physical & Mechanical Properties** ### **Physical Properties:** - **Density:** ~7.86 g/cm³ - **Thermal Conductivity:** ~30 W/(m·K) at 20°C - **Modulus of Elasticity:** ~210 GPa - **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:** ~11.5 x 10⁻⁶/K (20-400°C) ### **Heat Treatment & Mechanical Data:** - **Annealed Hardness:** ~210 HBW - **Austenitizing Temperature:** 925-980°C (1700-1800°F) - **Quenching Medium:** Air (forced air for sections >25mm/1") - **Tempering Temperature Range:** 175-540°C (350-1000°F) - **Typical Working Hardness:** **57-62 HRC** - *57-59 HRC (tempered at 400-450°C):* Optimal toughness for forming applications. - *60-62 HRC (tempered at 200-250°C):* Maximum wear resistance for cutting applications. - **Hardenability Depth:** Full through-hardening up to 100mm (4") thickness. --- ## **4. Main Applications** A2's balanced properties make it suitable for numerous demanding cold work applications: - **Blankng and Punching Dies:** For medium to high production runs on various materials. - **Forming Tools:** Bending, forming, and drawing dies requiring good wear resistance and toughness. - **Shear Blades and Slitters:** Industrial cutting blades for metals and non-metallics. - **Thread Rolling Dies:** For producing standard and precision threads. - **Gauges and Fixtures:** Precision measuring tools where dimensional stability is critical. - **Molding Applications:** Plastic injection molds and die-casting inserts requiring good polishability. - **Machine Components:** Wear plates, guide rails, and cams requiring consistent hardness. - **Woodworking Tools:** High-performance planer knives, chipper knives, and tooling for composite materials. --- ## **5. Relevant International Standards & Comparable Grades** Böhler-Uddeholm AISI A2 corresponds to several international standards with minor compositional variations. | Standard | Grade / Designation | Country/Region | Note | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **AISI / ASTM A681** | **A2** | USA | Direct equivalent specification. | | **DIN / Werkstoff Nr.** | **1.2363 / X100CrMoV5-1** | Germany / EU | Standard European designation with slight compositional differences. | | **JIS G4404** | **SKD12** | Japan | Primary Japanese equivalent for A2-grade steel. | | **ISO 4957** | **100CrMoV5** | International | Corresponding ISO tool steel grade. | | **GB/T 1299** | **Cr5Mo1V** | China | Common Chinese equivalent designation. | | **BS 4659** | **BA2** | UK | British standard designation. | **Important:** While A2 is a standardized grade, Böhler-Uddeholm's manufacturing controls ensure superior consistency, cleanliness, and heat treatment response compared to generic A2 materials. --- ## **6. Supply Form & Processing** - **Available Forms:** Precision ground flat stock, round bars, square bars, blocks, and custom pre-machined blanks. - **Machining:** Good machinability in annealed state. Use sharp carbide or HSS tools with positive rake angles and adequate cooling. - **Heat Treatment:** 1. Preheat at 750-800°C (1380-1470°F) to minimize thermal shock. 2. Austenitize at 925-980°C in controlled atmosphere or vacuum. 3. Quench in still or forced air (air pressure of 1-2 bar for optimal results). 4. Temper immediately when parts reach 40-50°C. **Double tempering is essential** for optimal dimensional stability and properties. - **Surface Treatment:** Responds well to nitriding (gas or plasma) for enhanced surface hardness and PVD coatings (TiN, TiCN, CrN) for reduced friction and wear. --- ## **7. Selection Guidance & Conclusion** **When to choose Böhler-Uddeholm A2:** - Applications require **better dimensional stability** than oil-hardening steels can provide. - Tools need **higher wear resistance than O1** but don't require the extreme wear resistance of D2. - **Good toughness** is needed to prevent chipping in forming applications. - **Medium to high production volumes** where tool life extension is valuable. - **Complex tool geometries** that benefit from air-hardening characteristics. - **Larger cross-sections** requiring consistent through-hardening. **Comparison Context:** - **vs. O1:** Superior wear resistance, better dimensional stability, deeper hardenability, but slightly lower machinability. - **vs. D2:** Better toughness and grindability, lower wear resistance and higher dimensional stability during heat treatment. **Conclusion:** **Böhler-Uddeholm AISI A2** represents the **optimal mid-point in the cold work tool steel spectrum**, offering a practical balance of properties that satisfy the majority of industrial tooling requirements. Its air-hardening characteristic provides dimensional stability that is crucial for precision tools, while its combination of wear resistance and toughness ensures reliable performance across diverse applications. For toolmakers seeking a versatile, predictable material that bridges the gap between general-purpose and high-performance steels, A2 remains an indispensable choice that delivers consistent results and excellent value across countless manufacturing applications. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm AISI A2 Cold Work Tool Steel Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <6879 mm Size:We can customized as required Standard： Per your request or drawing We can customized as required Properties（Theoretical） Chemical Composition -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm AISI A2 Cold Work Tool Steel Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Bohler-Uddeholm AISI A2 Cold Work Tool Steel Sheet,Plate -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Bohler-Uddeholm AISI A2 Cold Work Tool Steel Sheet,Plate -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Bohler-Uddeholm AISI A2 Cold Work Tool Steel Sheet/Plate -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Standard Packing: -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and Steel Sheet/Plate drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 3350 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request. E FORUs’ is carefully handled to minimize damage during storage and transportation and to preserve the quality of our products in their original condition