Experimental investigation of the tribological behavior and wear mechanisms of tool steel grades in hot stamping of a high-strength boron steel

► The wear of different tool steels is investigated using a hot-stamping simulator, ► The sliding contact is performed with a heated strip of pre-alloyed Usibor 1500 P®, ► The tool (die radius) wear is characterized by profilometry and SEM observations. ► On the tool surface, transfer is the main wear mechanism compared to abrasive wear. ► The tool wear depends on steel surface hardness and plastic deformation behavior.