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CNC Machining
Tool Steel A3 is a high-quality, high-carbon alloy cold-work tool steel, equivalent to ASTM A681 / UNS T30103. For UK engineers and product designers, CNC machining Tool Steel A3 is a reliable route from prototype to finished part.
It is typically supplied annealed below 250 HB and can be quenched and tempered for improved hardness and wear resistance. Common examples are punches, dies & chuck jaws, plastic injection tooling and industrial knives & hammers. Its quoted tensile strength of around 2380 MPa gives a useful guide when sizing parts.
Parts are CNC milled or turned. A protective finish is recommended, as the steel offers limited corrosion resistance. Get an instant online quote for Tool Steel A3 CNC parts and have them delivered to your door in the UK. Finish options (as machined or ground) can be confirmed when you order.
Material
Tool Steel A3
Description
Strengths
Lead time 10 business days. High-carbon cold-work tool steel; can be oil quenched and tempered for hardness.
Weaknesses
Poor weldability; rusts easily
Silver grey
Ultimate tensile strength
2380 MPa
Yield strength
2100 MPa
Modulus of elasticity
203 GPa
Elongation at break
1%
Density
7.86 g/cm³
Hardness
255 HB
Shear modulus
Not specified
Corrosion resistance
Low
UK equivalent
Maximum service temperature
Not specified
Thermal expansion coefficient
11.8–14.3 × 10⁻⁶ /°C
Thermal conductivity
37 W/(m·°C)
Electrical resistivity
Not specified
Heat treatment
Hardening & tempering
Recommended finish
As machined or ground
Punches, dies & chuck jaws
Plastic injection tooling
Industrial knives & hammers
Dowel pins & gauges
Values shown are typical supplier figures for Tool Steel A3 and may vary with stock condition. Please confirm critical properties before production.
Tool Steel A3 is machined in the annealed condition, then hardened. It is a high-carbon cold-work steel, so it should be machined before hardening.
Heat treatment after machining can cause slight size change, so critical features may be finished by grinding after hardening. Achievable tolerances depend on part size, geometry and features, so mark any critical tolerances on a 2D drawing with your upload and they will be reviewed and confirmed in your quote.
Tool Steel A3 is normally finished by hardening and tempering. Parts can be supplied as machined or ground. Please state the hardness you need on your drawing.
Typical uses include punches, dies and chuck jaws, plastic injection tooling, industrial knives and wear parts, and dowel pins and gauges.
A3 sits between A2 and D2 for wear resistance. It rusts easily, so a protective finish or oil is advisable. Choose S7 instead where impact toughness matters most.
The typical lead time shown for Tool Steel A3 is 10 business days from an approved order. Heat treatment can add time. Quantity, finishing and any heat treatment can affect this, and your quote confirms the date before you order.
Parts in as fast as 10 business days
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