AbstractAn apparatus is described and a method discussed for determining the rheological characteristics of elastic liquids during extension at constant rates of deformation and extension. The material studied was polyisobutylene of molecular weight 7 × 104. At low constant deformation rates steady‐flow regimes were achieved, with corresponding equilibrium high elastic strains. A detailed study has been made of the process of attainment of steady‐flow regimes and it is shown that before steady flow is reached the curve of longitudinal viscosity versus strain passes through a maximum. As the rate of deformation rises, the strains at which steady–state flow regimes are achieved increase, and the time required to reach these regimes decreases. Qualitatively this occurs in the same way as upon shear. The dependence of equilibrium high‐elastic strains (under steady‐flow regimes) on the rate of deformation has been determined. At steady‐flow regimes the stress depends linearly on the rate of deformation at low values of the stress. Under such conditions Trouton's formula is valid. At constant rates of extension the stress versus time curve passes through a maximum which becomes higher with increasing ext