High-density polyethylene (HDPE) of two different average molecular weights, ¯Mw, has been solid-state extruded in an Instron capillary rheometer through brass capillary dies of several entrance angles from 10 to 180°. Extrusion rates increase substantially at smaller angles whereas the maximum achievable extrusion draw ratio, (RE), is realized at larger angles. At a constant RE, maxima are observed in plots of linear expansion coefficient, Young's modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break against die entrance angle. These maxima occur at angles of 20 to 30° for the lower molecular weight HDPE (¯Mw = 59 000). For the higher molecular weight HDPE (¯Mw = 92 000) maxima were at angles of 14 to 20°.