This paper is about numerical simulations of dissipation processes in rotor shaft joints of rotor systems. Based on measurement results a nonlinear simulation model of a lab centrifuge is stated. The effects of internal damping in combination with nonlinear stiffness and friction in the rotor shaft joint of the lab centrifuge are worked out. It is shown that the nonlinearities cause the amplitudes to rest limited once increased amplitudes due to internal damping appear. One focus is the derivation of suitable force laws describing the mechanisms of the components within the connection.