Abstract: An electro-hydraulic servo swing testing machine for measuring friction damping properties of surface materials was designed using an angular displacement control actuator for the friction damping properties of damping and common linings with surface profile.Based on the principle of equivalent energy dissipation by viscoelastic damper,the loss factor of the damping lining was calculated by using equivalent viscoelasticity method.The results show that the testing machine and the method are suitable for measuring the friction damping properties of surface materials.Compared with the common lining,the damping lining own a good equivalent stiffness and viscoelasticity properties.