How to Heat Treat A-2 Tool Steel

A2 tool steel can be difficult to heat treat.

in the name designates it as an air-hardening steel. This means it hardens rapidly compared to other tool steels, making heat treatment potentially difficult.

Heat Treating

1. Heat the steel through to 1,560 degree Fahrenheit using a forge or heat-treat oven . Once thoroughly heated, slowly cool in the furnace by dropping the temperature 20 degrees per hour to 1,200 degrees. This relieves any stress within the steel.

2. Heat the steel slowly over a 15-minute period to the critical temperature, the point where the steel becomes nonmagnetic. For A2, the critical temperature is about 1,575 degrees Fahrenheit, and the steel should have a bright, light cherry-red color.

3. Hold the steel at the critical temperature for 3 to 5 minutes. This period of time is known as the soak time and gives the steel a chance to obtain a uniform temperature.

4. Remove the steel from the forge and quench in oil. It is important to keep the steel moving in the oil since a vapor barrier can form around the steel if left still, preventing the steel from obtaining a uniform heat.

5. Temper the steel according to the intended use. For A2, the most common tempering temperature is 300 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the steel has reached the intended temperature, hold the steel at that temperature for two hours and let it cool in the air.