Grafting of maleic acid (MAc) on low density polyethylene (LDPE) was carried out using gamma-irradiation technique. Preactivation method was used for grafting and a maximum grafting of 2.4% was obtained. Grafted polymer(LDPE-g-MAc) was characterized by chemical method, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Melt Flow Index (MFI), Tensile Property Measurement, Particle Size Analysis, and Hot Stage Optical Microscopy. Presence of carbonyl peak of high intensity, high acid value, and low melt flow index value confirmed grafting of MAc on LDPE. A marginal change in thermal and mechanical properties of LDPE was observed after grafting. Change in crystallization behavior of LDPE has been noticed after grafting. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.