Abstract: The problems about the variation in center temperature of discharged region and the relationship between crater shape and electrical parameters in the process of electric discharge texturing on the surface of a work roll was studied. The developing process of discharging channel and the distribution of heat flux were analyzed. A thermal conduction model of single channel spark per pulse was presented. By combining the methods of integral transform and finite difference this model was solved. The change of transient temperature at the center spark point upon the roll surface was discussed under the condition of different peak current, and the relation of crater shape to peak current and pulse duration was also deduced. Finally, the calculated values were compared with the experimental ones. The result showed that they were in good agreement. The developed model and adopted method were valid and could be used for simulation of the developing process of geometric topography on roll surface.