The radiation grafting of silk with methacrylamide (MAA) was studied using an electron-beam (EB) irradiation technique. Two irradiation processes, preirradiation and coirradiation, were compared, and some factors affecting the degree of grafting were investigated. The radiation crosslinking of silk with dimethyloldihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU) was preliminarily studied. The physical and mechanical properties such as whiteness, breaking strength, and resilience of the radiation-grafted/crosslinked silk fabrics were examined. The radiation grafting of silk with MAA increases the silk weight, while the radiation crosslinking of silk with DMDHEU imparts improved crease resistance to silk. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis indicate the formation of peroxy and free-radical species on the EB-irradiated silk. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.