A　finite　element　model　is　developed　to　study　the　transient　thermo-mechanical　contact　between　a　rough　body　and　a　flat　body.　The　model　considers　the　heat　flux　coupling,　the　interaction　among　adjacent　contact　asperities　and　elasto-plastic　deformation　of　the　rough　body.　It　is　observed　that　the　temperature　/　contact　pressure　/　stress　are　coupled　and　fluctuate　obviously　when　the　interaction　of　contact　asperities　enhances.　The　fluctuation　of　the　VonMises　equivalent　stress　makes　the　equivalent　plastic　strain　of　the　frictional　surface　layer　accumulate　continually　which　might　cause　fatigue　wear　and　plastic　deformation　wear　of　the　material　when　the　frictional　rotating　process　repeated.　©　2015　Trans　Tech　Publications,　Switzerland.