The effects of gamma-irradiation were measured in a HDPE and in the resin after it was recrystallized. The fracture mode of the initial material transformed from crazing to complete brittle failure at a critical dose. The failure mode of the recrystallized material transformed from crazing to shear deformation, which produced an extremely long failure time, and finally, at a higher dose, its fracture became brittle. The relationship between morphology and slow crack growth is presented where crosslinking was the major factor.