SteelWhat is A2 steel and what is it used for? Cold work tool steel
A2 steel is a cold work tool steel. In this guide we explain what A2 steel is, its chemical composition, hardness, how it is heat treated, what it is used for and the sizes we stock.
What is A2 steel?
Medium-alloy, air-hardening tool steel known for its balance of toughness, wear resistance and dimensional stability. Used to make dies, punches, knives and tooling for cutting, forming and cold work. Its air hardening reduces the risk of distortion and cracking during heat treatment, delivering reliable performance in medium-volume production applications.
Chemical composition of A2 steel
This is the typical composition of A2 steel (AISI A2 / EN-DIN 1.2363 / JIS SKD12 standard):
| Element | Contents | What for? |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.95 – 1.05 % | Hardness and wear resistance |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.10 – 0.50 % | Deoxidizer |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.40 – 1.00 % | Hardenability |
| Chromium (Cr) | 4.75 – 5.50 % | Hardenability and wear resistance |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.90 – 1.40 % | Hot hardness and hardenability |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.15 – 0.50 % | Refines the grain and forms hard carbides |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.030 % max. | Impurity, kept low |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.030 % max. | Impurity, kept low |
Hardness and heat treatment of A2 steel
The typical working hardness of A2 is 57 – 62 HRC. It is air hardened (which is why it is known as an air-hardening steel), which greatly reduces the risk of distortion and cracking during heat treatment; it is then tempered to adjust hardness and toughness. You can see the full picture in our article on heat treatments for steel, and hardness scales in steel hardness.
What is it for? Applications of A2
A2 steel is mainly used in:
- Stamping dies
- Industrial punches
- Cutting dies
- Industrial knives
- Cutting dies
- Shear knives
- Cold forming tools
- Cold forming dies
- Forming rolls
Forms and sizes we carry
At NAT MAC we stock A2 steel in these forms and sizes:
| Package size | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Round bars | Ø 1/4" – 2-1/2" (Ø 6 – 63 mm) |
| Plates | 1/4" – 8" (6 – 203 mm) |
If you need a particular size, tell us which one and we will gladly source it for you.
A2 equivalents and standards
A2 steel is also identified by these standards: AISI A2 / EN-DIN 1.2363 / JIS SKD12. You can see how to read them in our article on steel standards.
In summary
- A2 is a cold work tool steel
- Typical composition: C 0.95 – 1.05 and Cr 4.75 – 5.50, plus alloying elements
- Typical working hardness: 57 – 62 HRC
- Ideal for cold work with good dimensional stability
- We carry it in round bar (1/4" – 2-1/2") and plates (1/4" – 8"), cut to size
Why buy your A2 steel at NAT MAC?
We have more than 54 years of experience as an industrial supplier and ISO 9001 certified quality. We carry a wide range of tool grade steels and help you choose the right one for your tool or mold.
- Quality A2 Steel, backed and traceable
- Material cut to the size you need
- Technical advice on choosing the right grade
- Wide range of tool-grade steels in stock
- On-time deliveries and competitive prices
Tell us what tool or mold you are going to make and in what dimensions, and we will recommend the right grade and form. Request your free quote.
Sources: data sheet from our NAT MAC catalog (composition, sizes and applications) and public industry references for working hardness. Values are for reference and may vary by standard, heat and treatment.
