The nonlinear dynamic behavior of a rubbing rotor system was studied with a mathematical model established with the eccentricity and interaction between bending and torsional vibrations taken into consideration. The nonlinear vibrational response of a rubbing rotor was analyzed using numerical integral, spectroscopic analysis and Poince mapping method, which made it possible to have better understanding of the vibrational characteristics of partial rubbing and complete circular rubbing rotors. The numerical results reveal the response of torsional vibration mainly takes a form of superchronous motion, and its frequency decreases as the rotational speed increases when partial rubbing occurs, and the response of torsional vibration is synchronous when complete circular rubbing occurs. The comparison of the dynamics of rubbing rotors with and without the interaction between bending and torsional vibrations shows the interaction between bending and torsional vibrations advances the rotational speed, at which the response of bending vibration changes from a synchronous motion into a quasi periodic motion, and the interaction between bending and torsional vibrations reduces stability of the rubbing rotor. The nonlinear dynamic behavior of a rubbing rotor system was studied with a mathematical model established with the eccentricity and interaction between bending and torsional vibrations taken into consideration. The nonlinear vibrational response of a rubbing rotor was analyzed using numerical integral, spectroscopic analysis and Poince mapping method , which made it possible to have better understanding of the vibrational characteristics of partial rubbing and complete circular rubbing rotors. The numerical results reveal the response of torsional vibration mainly takes a form of superchronous motion, and its frequency decreases as the rotational speed increases when partial rubbing occurs, and the response of torsional vibration is synchronous when complete circular rubbing occurs. The comparison of the dynamics of rubbing rotors with and without the interaction between bending and torsional vibrations shows the interaction between bending and torsional vibrations advances the rotatio nal speed, at which the response of bending vibration changes from a synchronous motion into a quasi periodic motion, and the interaction between bending and torsional vibrations may stability of the rubbing rotor.