Novel polymer blends of polyamide and linear low-density polyethylene with maleated polyethylene as compatibilizers were prepared in a modular intermeshing corotating twin-screw extruder. Polymer blends with different contents of polyamide in polyethylene matrix were obtained. The mechanical properties were studied in terms of the tensile strength and elongation-to-break. The shape-memory properties of the blended materials were characterized using three-point bending test in a temperature-controlled chamber. The results show that the incorporation of maleated polyethylene has a strong effect on the tensile properties and the morphology of the blends. The shape-memory effect of blended materials is affected by polyamide weight fraction, and 60 wt % polyethylene, 20 wt % polyamide, and 20% maleated polyethylene have an acceptable performance. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012