Polyethylene (PE) was treated with chromic acid for improvement of adhesion. The treated PE samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Adhesive bond studies were carried out on stainless steel-PE joints using a toughened epoxy based adhesive developed in our laboratory. The improvement of bond strength has been correlated with the formation of polar groups on PE estimated by FT-IR spectroscopy. No change in surface topography was observed by optical and scanning electron microscopy studies. The bulk mechanical properties of PE film were investigated as a function of time of treatment. No significant change in mechanical properties was observed up to the time of treatment of about 1 h. (c) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2008.