Surface modification of high-density-polyethylene (HDPE) and linear-low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) films is promoted by sodium hypochlorite solutions using two different processes (I and IT). Such an oxidation system introduces limited amounts of carbonyl-carboxyl and hydroxyl groups onto the surface of hydrocarbon polymers. FTIR, XPS, and SEM were used to assess the efficiency of the oxidation. The hydrophilicity of the studied surfaces was investigated by the sessile drop technique and the Wilhelmy plate and a plausible oxidation mechanism is proposed. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.