Damping alloys can dissipate vibration energy into thermal energy through defective motion with high mechanical properties and functional characteristics， which have a great significance in the development and research of aerospace and military fields. There are differences in microstucture between different alloy systems. The types of defects that play a dominant role in damping are different， and the properties of structureal defect （type， density， and movability） are the key factors affecting the damping performance of alloys. The types and characteristics of damping source for different damping alloys systems were summarized from the perspective of defects （plane defects， line defects， and point defects）. The relationship between damping capacity， mechanical properties， and functional properties （corrosion resistance， casting performance， etc.） was reviewed， the development status of various damping alloys was summarized， and then the development laws and differences of damping alloys were concluded. Finally， the research direction of damping alloys is prospected. The single type of damping source will seriously limit the improvement of the material damping capacity. While the design concepts of composite materials and high-entropy alloys allow for the coexistence of multiple damping sources， which produces the coupling effect of multiple damping mechanisms that can realize the two-dimensional expansion of damping capacity， and improve mechanical properties and functionalities. The design concepts will play a significant guide to enhance comprehensive performance of damping alloys.