Hot-stamping die wear at elevated temperatures is a primary limiter of die longevity. This investigation assesses the high-temperature tribological characteristics of high-thermal-conductivity SDCM steel, AISI H13 steel and SDCM steel with plasma nitriding. Our approach integrates a comprehensive analysis of wear mechanisms and finite-element simulations to anticipate temperature changes, wear patterns, and service life. At 200 °C and 300 C against SiC ceramic balls, untreated SDCM steel undergoes primarily adhesive and oxidative wear, whereas the AISI H13 steel displays oxidative, adhesive, and pronounced abrasive wear. The SDCM steel exhibits thermal conductivities of 44.8 and 42.2 W/(m·K) at these temperatures, nearly double those of AISI H13 steel, leading to improved stamping efficiency. In numerical simulations of 15 cycles of hot stamping processes, the SDCM steel with plasma nitriding rapidly reaches thermal equilibrium and reduces peak die temperatures by 80 C during the hold phase with B1500HS workpieces, enhancing cooling efficacy. The unitless wear coefficients for the SDCM steel, the AISI H13 steel, and the SDCM steel with plasma nitriding are 4.03×10 -6 and 7.07×10 -6, 9.54×10 -6 and 11.3×10 -6, 2.78×10 -6 and 3.70×10 -6 at 200 C and 300 C. Plasma nitriding also reduces friction and wear rates, nearly doubling the service life of SDCM dies compared to untreated steel-translating into lower operational costs and higher throughput.