With superimposing a sine vibration of displacement on the extruding direction of a polymer melt, the characterization formula of the shear rate of a polymer melt within a capillary was set up. By making use of the experimental equipment of a constant velocity type dynamic rheometer of capillary (CVDRC) designed by the authors, the calculating steps of the shear rate of the polymer melt at the wall of the capillary under a vibration force field were established. Through measuring and analyzing the instantaneous data of capillary entry pressure, capillary volume rate, and their phase-difference under the superimposed vibration, the polymer melt's shear rate at the wall of the capillary can thus be calculated. (C) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.