Tool steel flat bar is supplied for blades, knives, punches, machine ways and wear strips. We stock A2, D2, H13, O1, M2, DC53 and S7, annealed or precision-ground, in straight lengths.
What Is Tool Steel Flat?
Tool steel flat bar is rolled or forged to rectangular section and supplied annealed so it can be machined to a tool profile and then hardened. Flat bar is the natural starting shape for blades, knives, punches, guides and wear strips where width and thickness both matter.
We keep the full cold- and hot-work range as flat — A2, D2, H13, O1, M2, DC53 and S7 — and offer ground flat stock where two faces are already finished to tight tolerance.
Tool Steel Grades Available as Flat
These tool-steel grades are available as flat bar:
| Grade | Standard | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | ASTM A681, EN ISO 4957 | Cold-work punches, dies, blades |
| D2 | ASTM A681, EN ISO 4957 | Long-life cutting and forming tools |
| H13 | ASTM A681, EN ISO 4957 | Aluminium & hot-work dies, extrusion |
| O1 | ASTM A681 | Oil-hardening precise tools and gauges |
| M2 | ASTM A600, EN ISO 4957 | General high-speed cutting tools |
| DC53 | JIS G4404, EN ISO 4957 | High-toughness cold-work dies |
| S7 | ASTM A681 | Shock-resisting tools, hot shearing |
Size Range and Tolerances
Flat bar is cut from 3 mm up to 60 mm thick. Size and tolerance are confirmed per grade:
| Thickness | Width | Length | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 – 10 mm | 12 – 200 mm | 2 – 6 m | Annealed / Ground |
| 10 – 30 mm | 20 – 300 mm | 2 – 6 m | Annealed / Forged |
| 30 – 60 mm | 40 – 400 mm | 2 – 6 m | Forged / Annealed |
| Cut lengths | per drawing | per drawing | Sawn / Ground |
Surface Finish and Delivery Condition
Flat-bar delivery conditions:
Soft bar for machining and then hardening.
Two faces ground flat and parallel for immediate use.
Forged thick flats for sound centres in large tools.
Turned surface to remove decarburisation before machining.
Standards We Supply To
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| EN 10058 | Hot-rolled flat steel bars |
| ASTM A681 | Tool steels (A / D / H / O / S series) |
| EN ISO 4957 | Tool steels (European grades) |
| JIS G4401 | Carbon tool steel |
| EN 10278 | Bright steel bars |
Physical Properties of Tool Steel
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.7 – 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Elastic modulus (E) | ~210 GPa |
| Shear modulus (G) | ~80 GPa |
| Thermal conductivity | ~25 W/m·K (high-alloy, lower) |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion | ~11 ×10⁻₆ /K (20 – 300 °C) |
Applications of Tool Steel Flat
Flat bar machined and ground to blade profiles.
Rectangular tool sections for stamping.
Ground flat bar as precision slide ways.
Hardened flat bar as long-wearing edges.
Accurately sized flat bar.
Flat bar shaped into holder bodies.
Quality Control and Mill Certificates
Every Flat order ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate covering heat chemical analysis and the mechanical and dimensional checks on record. We add, on request: ultrasonic or magnetic-particle inspection, hardness mapping, straightness and flatness checks, decarburisation or surface-depth checks, and third-party inspection (SGS / BV) at the mill or before loading. Dimensions are verified to the relevant EN / ASTM / JIS standard or your drawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you supply ground flat stock?
Yes, ground flat bar with two finished faces is available for immediate tool use.
Which grade for a long-life cutting die?
D2 for maximum wear; A2 for a good balance of wear and toughness.
Can you cut flat bar to length?
Yes, sawn or sheared to your length and quantity.
Is the flat bar supplied annealed?
Annealed as standard, ready for machining and heat treatment.
Do you stock DC53 and S7 flat?
Yes — DC53 for high-toughness cold work and S7 for shock-resisting tools.
Related Products
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