AbstractInvestigations on the extrusion characteristics of composite systems were performed on the Sieglaff‐McKelvey capillary rheometer, with particular emphasis on the characterization of flow instability and “melt fracture” phenomena. The mechanisms of melt fracture appear to be identical for both the filled and unfilled polymers (1. Polyethylene with glass beads; 2. Ethylene‐propylene copolymer with graphitized carbon black). In all cases, the flow curves exhibit a plateau at some value of the shear stress. Above this shear stress plateau, melt fracture occurs. Although slip flow is the dominant mode of transport during melt fracture, the slippage in the tube may not be a necessary condition for the subsequent severe melt fracture.