The effect of allyl (AM), butyl (BM) and dodecyl maleates (DM) on the crosslinking of low density polyethylene (LDPE) with dicumyl peroxide have been examined. Mechanical properties of compounds and degree of crystallinity of LDPE have been determined. it turned out that these maleic esters are efficient coagents of LDPE crosslinking, with AM being the most effective one although the increase in the crosslinking degree has not always an advantageous effect an the improvement of mechanical properties of the compound involved. The addition of DCP, ZnO and AM brings about a decrease in crystallinity degree of LDPE, while DM causes the degree of crystallinity to increase by about 6% as compared with that of unmodified LDPE which has an advantageous influence on its mechanical properties.