Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a tubular article from a cellular plastic compound comprising a bushing defining a passage extending therethrough, an internal mandrel within the passage of the bushing and cooperating therewith to define a die passage, and an external mandrel downstream of the internal mandrel. The die passage has a tapered section and an outlet section with the overall width of the tapered section reducing as it extends toward the outlet. The outlet section terminates in an outlet. The gap dimension of the tapered section is greater than the gap dimension of the outlet section. The die passage has a transition section which is of progressively reducing thickness to smoothly blend the tapered section and the outlet section.