A2 Tool Steel Yield Strength

For optimal factory operations, understanding the A2 tool steel yield strength is crucial. A2 tool steel, an air-hardening, cold-work grade, offers a balance of wear resistance, toughness, and dimensional stability. This guide focuses on its yield strength to aid your material selection.

Defining Yield Strength in Tool Steel

Yield strength indicates the stress at which a material permanently deforms. For A2 tool steel, this is typically the 0.2% offset yield strength – the stress causing a 0.2% non-reversible plastic strain. Operating below the yield strength is vital to prevent permanent shape changes in tooling, ensuring reliability and longevity.

A2 Tool Steel Yield Strength: Figures and Conditions

Understanding A2’s properties under specific heat treatments is key. Our data for A2 tool steel:

Property	Value	Condition
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)	1269 MPa (184 ksi)	Tempered at 540 °C (1000 °F)
Hardness	54.1 HRC	Achieved with 540 °C (1000 °F) temper
Recommended Austenitizing Temp.	950 °C (1740 °F)	Prior to air quenching
Quenching Medium	Air	Characteristic of A2
Expected Dimensional Change	Approx. +0.001 in./in. expansion	After air quenching from proper hardening temp.

Heat Treatment’s Impact on A2’s Yield Strength

Heat treatment, especially tempering temperature, directly determines the final A2 tool steel yield strength. A2 is typically austenitized around 950 °C (1740 °F), air-cooled, then tempered. This refines its structure for the desired mechanical properties. While higher hardness often means higher yield strength, it can reduce ductility. Tempering A2 at 540 °C (1000 °F) balances these, achieving about 54.1 HRC and the noted yield strength.

Advantages

• Good Wear Resistance: Due to its 5% chromium content.
• Balanced Toughness/Abrasion Resistance: Superior to S-series in abrasion resistance; better toughness than D-series steels.
• Excellent Dimensional Stability: Predictable expansion (approx. 0.001 in./in. post-quench) is crucial for tight tolerance parts.

Achieving Target Yield Strength

For an A2 tool steel yield strength around 1269 MPa (184 ksi), precise heat treatment is essential: proper austenitizing, air quenching, and tempering at 540 °C (1000 °F) to reach about 54.1 HRC.

Aobo Steel has over 20 years of experience supplying A2 tool steel to these standards. Contact us to discuss your A2 tool steel requirements.