Abstract: By measuring the change of thermal expansion coefficient of materials with temperature, the thermophysical properties of materials and the chemical reactions in the process of temperature change can be studied. the application of measuring the thermal expansion coefficient of materials by means of push rod method in the measurement of thermophysical properties, research and technological development of materials were reviewed, and it was introduced the background and test points of various applications in detail, and the development trend of the thermal expansion test equipment in the future was pointed out.