A series of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) blends with different amounts of ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) was prepared and irradiated with 10 MeV electron beam in the range of 0-250 kGy at room temperature in air. EVA was used as a compatibilizer and softener in four different amounts: 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt %, based on polyethylene (PE). The crosslinking of the samples was studied on the basis of gel-content measurements as well as some thermal and mechanical properties of the specimens. The results indicated that the LDPE and LDPE-EVA blends could be crosslinked by a high-energy electron beam, of which their thermal and mechanical properties changed effectively, however, because of EVA content of the polymer; the blends were more sensitive to lower doses of radiation. These studies were carried out to obtain a suitable compound for heat-shrinkable tubes. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.