A 2D finite element model was established for inertia friction welding of GH4169 nickel-base superalloy based on the ABAQUS environment. The remeshing and map solution techniques were adopted to solve the problem of element distortion. The effect of rotation speed on the temperature field and axial shortening of joints was investigated. The results show that the interface temperature increases rapidly to higher than 900? within 1 s. and then, it increases slowly to a quasi-stable value. The axial shortening begins to augment quickly when a uniform interface temperature field has formed and the plasticized material is extruded from the interface to form an obvious flash. The rotation speed of the flywheel controls the welding process and has a significant influence on the temperature evolution and axial shortening of joints. © Shanghai Jiaotong University and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011.