Abstract: A two-dimensional axisymmetric viscoplastic thermal-mechanical coupling finite element model was established with welding parameters and thermal-physical properties of materials to numerically simulate the continuous driven friction welding of ring-shaped 35Cr2Ni4MoA high-strength steel workpieces.The changes of temperature field,stress-strain field and axial shortening were analyzed,and the amount of axial shortening and flash shape during welding were measured and compared with the calculated results.The results show that the simulated flash shape and axial shortening in the welded joint agreed well with the experimental ones.The developed finite element model will be beneficial to formulate proper friction welding procedures.