Abstract—Because of its good energy dissipation capacity and stable performance, the mild steel damper is widely applied in energy dissipation structure. The theoretical model of shear type metal damper was analyzed and calculation formula of the main mechanical parameters was established. Material test of domestic steel BLY160 and Q235 was conducted. On the basis of theoretical analysis and material performance, two groups of dampers with the same dimension but different energy dissipation materials were designed and made. Pseudo-static test on the two groups of specimens was carried out. The test results show that the hysteretic curves of mild steel dampers were full and mechanical properties were stable. Yield strength, yield displacement and other mechanical parameters showed small dispersion. Under Low cycle fatigue loading with ±20mm displacement, the performance of damper with BLY160 was better than that made by Q235.