Steel A2 HT 57-59 HRC
Hardness band
AISI/SAE A2 · UNS T30102 · EN 1.2363, X100CrMoV5 · JIS SKD12 · GB Cr5Mo1V
HT 57-59 HRC = hardened & Tempered 57–59 HRC
Best general-purpose die hardness for medium-gauge blanking and forming with some impact loading.
Values for the HT 57-59 HRC condition
Other A2 tempers and conditions
A2 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at A2.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft annealed bar, plate and precision-ground flat stock (≤235 HB) | Standard as-supplied condition for machining dies and punches before hardening; also the form of ground flat stock. | 470 | 740 | 22 | 217 HB | — |
Hardened & Tempered 54–56 HRC | Choose for heavy shear blades, cold forming and trimming tools where chipping is the failure mode. | 1,650 | 1,900 | 3 | 55 HRC | 2.6 % IACS |
HT 57-59 HRCThis page Hardened & Tempered 57–59 HRC | Best general-purpose die hardness for medium-gauge blanking and forming with some impact loading. | 1,800 | 2,050 | 2 | 58 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
air quench from 940–980 °C, temper 175–230 °C (58–62 HRC) | General working condition for blanking dies, punches and shear blades needing maximum wear resistance. | 1,900 | 2,150 | 1.5 | 60 HRC | — |
Hardened & Tempered 60–62 HRC | Pick for thin-sheet blanking punches and gauges where abrasive wear, not shock, governs life. | 1,950 | 2,250 | 1 | 61 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
Hardened, deep-cryogenic treated (−185 °C) and double tempered, 59–62… | Used for precision gauges and long-run dies where retained austenite must be minimised for size stability and wear. | 1,950 | 2,200 | 1 | 61 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
What is A2 HT 57-59 HRC?
A2 HT 57-59 HRC is A2 heat treated to HT 57-59 HRC — best general-purpose die hardness for medium-gauge blanking and forming with some impact loading. A2 HT 57-59 HRC has a yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 208 GPa (30.2 Msi). A2 HT 57-59 HRC has a density of 7.86 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HT 57-59 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,800 MPa (261 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 7/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 4/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.5 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades
A2 HT 57-59 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for A2 HT 57-59 HRC; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A2 HT 57-59 HRC has a density of 7.86 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical15
A2 HT 57-59 HRC has a yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 208 GPa (30.2 Msi).
Thermal6
A2 HT 57-59 HRC is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 24.5 W/m·K (14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.7 µm/m·K (5.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A2 HT 57-59 HRC conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (19/100), better than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A2 HT 57-59 HRC takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
A2 HT 57-59 HRC's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (7/100); formability not recommended (4/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with A2 HT 57-59 HRC
Is A2 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed condition with carbide or cobalt HSS at moderate speeds; leave 0.2–0.5 mm grinding stock, stress-relieve rough-machined dies at 650–700 °C, and finish hardened parts by grinding, EDM or hard turning.
Can A2 be welded?
Poor weldability — for repair only: preheat to 400–500 °C, use matched 5 %Cr filler, weld hot and temper immediately at the original tempering temperature to avoid cracking.
Can A2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming is impractical; hot work at 900–1050 °C with slow cooling, then full anneal at 845–870 °C (furnace cool 10–20 °C/h) before machining. Hardening: austenitise 940–980 °C, air (or plate/vacuum) quench, temper twice.
What surface finishes work on A2?
Takes a fine mirror polish when hardened; protect with oil, black oxide, or apply nitriding, hard chrome or TiN/CrN/TiCN PVD (below tempering temperature) to boost wear and galling resistance.
A2 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A681 A2 | 0.95 – 1.05 | 1 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Cr | 4.75 – 5.5 | 5.1 |
| Mo | 0.9 – 1.4 | 1.1 |
| V | 0.15 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Wresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
A2 HT 57-59 HRC — frequently asked
What is A2 HT 57-59 HRC used for?
A2 HT 57-59 HRC is typically used for blanking dies, forming punches, shear and trim blades, cold-work die inserts, gauges and checking fixtures and precision-ground flat stock details. In short: versatile air-hardening tool.
What is the yield strength of A2 HT 57-59 HRC?
A2 HT 57-59 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is A2 HT 57-59 HRC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition with carbide or cobalt HSS at moderate speeds; leave 0.2–0.5 mm grinding stock, stress-relieve rough-machined dies at 650–700 °C, and finish hardened parts by grinding, EDM or hard turning.
Can A2 HT 57-59 HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (7/100). Poor weldability — for repair only: preheat to 400–500 °C, use matched 5 %Cr filler, weld hot and temper immediately at the original tempering temperature to avoid cracking.
What surface finishes work on A2 HT 57-59 HRC?
Takes a fine mirror polish when hardened; protect with oil, black oxide, or apply nitriding, hard chrome or TiN/CrN/TiCN PVD (below tempering temperature) to boost wear and galling resistance.
Can A2 HT 57-59 HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming is impractical; hot work at 900–1050 °C with slow cooling, then full anneal at 845–870 °C (furnace cool 10–20 °C/h) before machining. Hardening: austenitise 940–980 °C, air (or plate/vacuum) quench, temper twice.
What is the maximum service temperature of A2 HT 57-59 HRC?
A2 HT 57-59 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in A2 HT 57-59 HRC?
Yes — A2 HT 57-59 HRC is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A681 — Alloy Tool Steels — ASTM International (2015)
- DIN EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels (X100CrMoV5, 1.2363) — DIN/ISO (2018)
- JIS G4404 — Alloy tool steels (SKD12) — JSA (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. — ASM International (1998)
- Cold work tool steel 1.2363 / A2 datasheet — Böhler / voestalpine (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.