The interface tensions (γ) of oil-water system containing Liaohe heavy crude functional fractions or polar components (acid, basic, amphoteric, neutral fractions, saturates, aromatics, resin and asphaltene) were measured. The effects of content of components, water pH value, salinity and temperature on γ were investigated. The results showed that γ between the aqueous phase and the toluene phase containing different polar fractions were sequenced as follows: γ (saturates)>γ (aromatics) > (resins) > γ (asphaltenes) while that of the functional fractions was: γ (neutral fractions) > (basic fractions) > (acid fractions) and γ (amphoteric fractions). The interficial tensions of acid fraction, amphoteric fraction and asphaltene fraction were low especially in basic conditions (pH=11-12), showing that they were the main interfacial active components in heavy crude oils. Basic conditions are favorite to maintain the stability of the O/W emulsions. By using the isolation method based on functional groups, the action essence of active components in heavy crude oils can be well revealed.