With the aid of FE (finite element) code MSC.Superform 2005, 2-D coupled thermo-mechanical simulation of center-crack occurrence in round billet during 2-roll rotary rolling process was presented using Oyane ductile fracture criteria. A simple modeling is put forward based on the spiral motion of the workpiece as an essential characteristic in movement. The influence of the feed angle and the entry cone angle of the main roll on the process was taken into account in the modeling. The soundness for simplifying the 3-D rotary rolling into a 2-D problem was discussed. By adopting the parameters of Diescher piercer in 140mm mandrel mill of Bao Steel, the distribution and development of strain / stress were analyzed, and the eigen value of ductile fracture as well. The critical percentage of diameter reduction was obtained from the simulation. The result showed a good agreement with the experimental value, and therefore was of widely guiding significance to the practical process for rationally formulating the deformation parameters of steel tube piercing. With the aid of FE (finite element) code MSC. Spaform 2005, 2-D coupled thermo-mechanical simulation of center-crack occurrence in round billet during 2-roll rotary rolling process was presented using Oyane ductile fracture criteria. A simple modeling is put forward based on the spiral motion of the workpiece as an essential characteristic in movement. The influence of the feed angle and the entry cone angle of the main roll on the process was taken into account in the modeling. The soundness for simplifying the 3- D based on the parameters of Diescher piercer in 140mm mandrel mill of Bao Steel, the distribution and development of strain / stress were analyzed, and the eigen value of ductile fracture as well. percentage of diameter reduction was obtained from the simulation. The result showed a good agreement with the experimental value, and therefore was of the broad guiding significance to the practical process for rationa lly formulating the deformation parameters of steel tube piercing.