The performance and radiation-induced cross-linking of polycaprolactone (PCL) in the presence of vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) have been investigated. Radiation-induced cross-linking of PCL in the presence of VTMS followed the Charlesby-Pinner equation, and VTMS promoted the radiation-induced cross-linking of PCL. As the concentration of VTMS increased, the gelation dose and the ratio of degradation to cross-linking (p(0)/q(0)) decreased and the efficiency of radiation-induced cross-linking increased. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses showed differences between the first and second scans. Glass-transition temperature (T-g) and mechanical properties of the polymers increased. Radiation-induced cross-linking of PCL in the presence of VTMS was found to retard hydrolytic degradation greatly. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 51:369-376, 2011. (C) 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers