In this research, the surface of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (URMWPE) fiber was modified by high energy ultraviolet (UV) initiated grafting reactions and acrylamide groups were grafted onto UHMWPE chains. The initiating and grafting mechanism of the reactions was studied. Some important factors influencing the grafting effect, e.g. crystallinity of URMWPE fiber, concentration of the initiating reagent, grafting time and the concentration of grafting monomer (acrylamide) were discussed. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was used to manifest the mechanism of the grafting reaction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to show the morphology changing of the fiber surface. Single fiber pull-out strength and ILSS tests of the composite showed that acrylamide grafted onto the surface of the fiber could improve the interfacial adhesion between treated fibers and matrices. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.