The photo-oxidation and thermal initiation changes of commercial low density polyethylene (LDPE) films used in greenhouse covering, in the presence or absence of ultraviolet (UV) stabilizer, were monitored by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, by mechanical tests and by applying the grafting of acrylic acid onto the aged films. It was found that the resistance of PE films to UV irradiation and heat initiation as proved by tensile strength and elongation at break % was better for stabilized PE films compared with the unstabilized ones. A simple correlation was not observed between the fall in mechanical properties and the rate of film oxidation. On the other hand, an almost linear relation was obviously noticed between the degree of PE oxidation (C==O) measured by IR spectroscopy and the grafting level. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 2365-2371, 2003.