A laminated hard film is obtained by laminating a layer A and a layer B. The layer A has a composition different from that of the layer B. The layer A is formed of (Ti.sub.aCr.sub.bAl.sub.cSi.sub.d)(C.sub.xN.sub.1-x) and satisifies the relationship of 0≦a≦0.10, 0.10≦b≦0.50, 0.50≦c≦0.90, 0≦d≦0.05, a+b+c+d=1 and 0≦x≦0.5. The layer B is formed of (Cr.sub.eSi.sub.1-e)(C.sub.yN.sub.1-y) and satisfies the relationship of 0.90≦e≦1.0 and 0≦y≦0.5, or is formed of (Al.sub.fSi.sub.1-f)(C.sub.2N.sub.1-z) and satisfies the relationship of 0.90≦f≦1.0 and 0≦x≦0.5. Each of the layer A and the layer B has a thickness of 2 to 100 nm, and the layer A and the layer B are each alternately laminated.

A laminated hard film is obtained by laminating a layer A and a layer B. The layer A has a composition different from that of the layer B. The layer A is formed of (Ti.sub.aCr.sub.bAl.sub.cSi.sub.d)(C.sub.xN.sub.1-x) and satisifies the relationship of 0≦a≦0.10, 0.10≦b≦0.50, 0.50≦c≦0.90, 0≦d≦0.05, a+b+c+d=1 and 0≦x≦0.5. The layer B is formed of (Cr.sub.eSi.sub.1-e)(C.sub.yN.sub.1-y) and satisfies the relationship of 0.90≦e≦1.0 and 0≦y≦0.5, or is formed of (Al.sub.fSi.sub.1-f)(C.sub.2N.sub.1-z) and satisfies the relationship of 0.90≦f≦1.0 and 0≦x≦0.5. Each of the layer A and the layer B has a thickness of 2 to 100 nm, and the layer A and the layer B are each alternately laminated.

A method for producing a forming tool having a forming punch and a mating die corresponding to the forming tool for forming a substrate is provided, which includes the steps of preparing at least the forming punch of the forming tool from a light metal and forming a protective coating on at least one region on a surface of at least the forming punch of the forming tool. The protective coating is applied to a region that is configured to contact the substrate, and in one form, the light metal is aluminum or an aluminum alloy. A forming tool having a forming part and a mating die is also provided, in which at least the forming tool is made from a light metal and includes the protective coating.

A method for producing a forming tool having a forming punch and a mating die corresponding to the forming tool for forming a substrate is provided, which includes the steps of preparing at least the forming punch of the forming tool from a light metal and forming a protective coating on at least one region on a surface of at least the forming punch of the forming tool. The protective coating is applied to a region that is configured to contact the substrate, and in one form, the light metal is aluminum or an aluminum alloy. A forming tool having a forming part and a mating die is also provided, in which at least the forming tool is made from a light metal and includes the protective coating.

A method of quenching a press hardenable steel (PHS) is provided. The method includes preparing a die having a material with a thermal conductivity of at least 40W/(m.Math.K) and placing a blank within the die and simultaneously hot stamping and quenching the blank at a heat transfer coefficient of at least 2,950W/(m.sup.2.Math.K). In one form, the step of hot stamping the blank is carried out with greater than 20 MPa of contact pressure between the die and the blank. In another form, the step of hot stamping the blank is carried out with 31 MPa of contact pressure between the die and the blank.

A method of quenching a press hardenable steel (PHS) is provided. The method includes preparing a die having a material with a thermal conductivity of at least 40W/(m.Math.K) and placing a blank within the die and simultaneously hot stamping and quenching the blank at a heat transfer coefficient of at least 2,950W/(m.sup.2.Math.K). In one form, the step of hot stamping the blank is carried out with greater than 20 MPa of contact pressure between the die and the blank. In another form, the step of hot stamping the blank is carried out with 31 MPa of contact pressure between the die and the blank.

A coated die for use in hot stamping has a hard film having an alternating lamination section formed by alternating lamination of a1 layers consisting of nitride having 30% or more of chromium in atomic ratio in a metal part, and a2 layers consisting of nitride having 50% or more of vanadium in atomic ratio in a metal part. When t.sub.a1 and t.sub.a2 are defined as thicknesses of the a1 layer and the a2 layer respectively, a film thickness ratio Xb is defined as a film thickness ratio t.sub.a2/t.sub.a1 of a1 layers and a2 layers adjacent to each other in a substrate-side region of the alternating lamination section and a film thickness ratio Xt is defined as a film thickness ratio t.sub.a2/t.sub.a1 of a1 layers and a2 layers adjacent to each other in an outermost surface side region of the alternating lamination section, it holds that Xt>Xb.

A coated die for use in hot stamping has a hard film having an alternating lamination section formed by alternating lamination of a1 layers consisting of nitride having 30% or more of chromium in atomic ratio in a metal part, and a2 layers consisting of nitride having 50% or more of vanadium in atomic ratio in a metal part. When t.sub.a1 and t.sub.a2 are defined as thicknesses of the a1 layer and the a2 layer respectively, a film thickness ratio Xb is defined as a film thickness ratio t.sub.a2/t.sub.a1 of a1 layers and a2 layers adjacent to each other in a substrate-side region of the alternating lamination section and a film thickness ratio Xt is defined as a film thickness ratio t.sub.a2/t.sub.a1 of a1 layers and a2 layers adjacent to each other in an outermost surface side region of the alternating lamination section, it holds that Xt>Xb.

A hybrid stamping system for forming a work-piece includes a stamping press. The press includes first and second dies that have respective first and second die bases formed from a first material. The system also includes first and second inlays. Each inlay is formed from a second material and has opposing die and work-piece sides. The second material hardness is greater than the first material hardness. The die side of the first inlay is cast into the first base and the work-piece side of the first inlay is contoured to form one side of the work-piece. The die side of the second inlay is cast into the second base and the work-piece side of the second inlay is contoured to form another side of the work-piece. The first and second dies are mounted in the press opposite one another to form the work-piece between the first and second inlays.

A hybrid stamping system for forming a work-piece includes a stamping press. The press includes first and second dies that have respective first and second die bases formed from a first material. The system also includes first and second inlays. Each inlay is formed from a second material and has opposing die and work-piece sides. The second material hardness is greater than the first material hardness. The die side of the first inlay is cast into the first base and the work-piece side of the first inlay is contoured to form one side of the work-piece. The die side of the second inlay is cast into the second base and the work-piece side of the second inlay is contoured to form another side of the work-piece. The first and second dies are mounted in the press opposite one another to form the work-piece between the first and second inlays.