Novel biodegradable chemically crosslinked polymers, poly(5-hydroxylevulinic acid-co-alpha,omega-diol)s (PHLA-diols), were synthesized from 5-hydroxylevulinic acid and alpha,omega-diols and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The gel content, swelling ratio, tensile properties, and hydrolytic degradation behaviors were also measured and assessed. The glass-transition temperature of the PHLA-diols could be adjusted within a wide range (-50 to 30 degrees C) by the type and feed ratio of the diol. Because of the low glass-transition temperature and crosslink structure, they exhibited certain elastic properties. The tensile modulus, strength, and elongation at break measured at 37 C were 1.4-6.3 MPa, 0.8-1.6 MPa, and 10-25%, respectively. These polymers could be hydrolytically degraded. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 3315-3321, 2010