A2 Tool Steel (UNS T30102) is a difficult-to-machine material that we run regularly for export customers. It has a density of 7.86 g/cm3, a tensile strength of 1800 MPa and a typical hardness of HRC 60. Those numbers make it the right choice for blanking punches and forming dies, and a poor choice when cost or corrosion resistance matters more than mechanical performance.
On our machines we hold +/-0.02 mm on turned and milled features and reach Ra 1.6 um where the drawing calls for it. Standard lead time for A2 Tool Steel parts is 4-8 working days, including material procurement, machining and any finishing operation you specify.
A2 Tool Steel: key properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| UNS / designation | T30102 |
| Density | 7.86 g/cm3 |
| Tensile strength | 1800 MPa |
| Hardness | HRC 60 |
| Machinability | Difficult |
| Suggested cutting speed (carbide) | 90-130 m/min |
| Relative material cost | 3 of 5 |
Machining A2 Tool Steel: what to plan for
- Air-hardening means size change
- Only machinable annealed
- Grind after hardening
Cutting speed for A2 Tool Steel with carbide tooling sits around 90-130 m/min. Going faster burns the edge; going much slower causes rubbing and a poor surface. Flood coolant is not optional here. If your part has thin walls or a lot of stock to remove, say so in the RFQ — we plan roughing, stress relief and finishing as separate operations when the geometry demands it.
Parts we machine in A2 Tool Steel
- Blanking punches
- Forming dies
- Wear plates
- Shear blades
Most A2 Tool Steel work arrives as 2D drawings with a mix of critical and non-critical features. Loosening tolerance on the non-critical ones is the fastest way to cut cost, and we will tell you which features those are before we quote.
Tolerances, finish and lead time
| Item | Capability |
|---|---|
| General tolerance | +/-0.02 mm |
| Achievable surface finish | Ra 1.6 um |
| Minimum wall thickness | 0.8 mm (aluminium) / 1.0 mm (steel and stainless) |
| Typical lead time | 4-8 working days |
| Prototype quantity | 1 piece |
| Production quantity | 10 to 50,000 pieces |
Frequently asked questions
What is the lead time for A2 Tool Steel parts?
Standard is 4-8 working days from drawing release, assuming the material is in stock. Exotic grades and cast forms can add 5 to 10 days. Finishing such as anodizing or plating adds 3 to 5 days.
What tolerance can you hold in A2 Tool Steel?
+/-0.02 mm is routine on turned and milled features. Tighter than that is possible on specific features by grinding or lapping, but it is quoted separately because it changes the process.
Do you keep A2 Tool Steel in stock?
We hold common sizes of A2 Tool Steel and buy mill-certified stock for everything else. Material certificates are supplied with the parts on request.
Can you supply A2 Tool Steel parts with a certificate of conformity?
Yes. We issue a dimensional report, a material certificate and a certificate of conformity as standard for production orders, and full PPAP or AS9102 paperwork when the programme requires it.
Related pages
- Materials — the full index for this section.
- M2 High-Speed Steel CNC Machining
- Hastelloy C-276 CNC Machining: Chloride Service
- 4140 Alloy Steel CNC Machining: Pre-Hard and Q&T
- Inconel 718 CNC Machining: Cost, Tooling, Lead Time
- Instant CNC quote
- Tolerance quick reference
- Frequently asked questions
Get a price for your part
Send a STEP file and a drawing with tolerances, material and quantity. We quote within one working day and machine in our own facility in Shenzhen — milling, turning, EDM, grinding and finishing under one roof, no trading middleman.
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