This paper describes a new approach to the rheological characterization of engineering plastics such as nylon 6, 66, and 46 polyamides using a capillary rheometer. The melt viscosity data as a function of temperature, shear rate. and residence time were measured and evaluated to demonstrate how to accurately predict critical extrusion parameters. such as barrel temperature profile, stock temperature window, and the screw design requirements, for extruding strip, tubing, and profiles. The results of this work provide a practical and simple quality control tool to select a polyamide resin for optimum processing, and to develop critical processing parameters for extrusion.