To　evaluate　the　ability　of　fractal　parameters　for　characterizing　tribological　properties　of　surfaces,　some　stable　fractal　surfaces,　which　possess　the　same　fractal　dimension,　scale　factor　and　root-mean-square　deviation　of　surface　topography,　were　synthesized,　and　then　simulated　using　finite　element　analysis　to　calculate　the　maximum　temperature　and　contact　area　during　sliding　process.　It　was　found　that　for　same-parameter　fractal　surfaces　the　maximum　temperature　and　contact　area　fluctuated　dramatically.　Thus,　the　tribological　properties　of　surfaces　can　not　be　characterized　by　some　simple　parameters.　©　Owned　by　the　authors,　published　by　EDP　Sciences,　2015.