An experimental instrument is developed with a purpose to study solids compaction behaviors in vane extruder in a direct manner. The effects of eccentricity, temperature, velocity, and polymer properties on the compressibility of polymer solids are reported in terms of compaction coefficient as a function of rotor torque. The results show that a relatively larger eccentricity or a lower external temperature can bring a smaller compaction coefficient, which results in higher pressure in the solids conveying zone of the vane extruder. However, rotor velocities almost have no influence on the compaction coefficient under the same condition. In addition, a difference is observed between the effects of the semicrystalline polymers and the noncrystalline polymers on the compaction coefficient, which should be taken into consideration in vane extrusion processing operations. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1403-1411, 2014. (c) 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers