During chemical flooding process，oil-water dilational viscoelasticity had a great influence on oil displacement mechanism and effects. The influencing law of surfactant，alkali and polymer on the interfacial dilational viscoelasticity was summarized. The distribution characteristics， interactions and interface structures of different types of materials in oil-water interface were analyzed. The special attention was paid to the effects of time， frequency and concentration on oil-water interfacial dilational viscoelasticity. Methods， means， theories and viewpoints summarized in this review could provide reference and basis for studying the percolation characteristics， emulsification mechanism， oil wall formation and emulsion post-processing.