The structure and properties of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powder after severe deformation processing in a planetary ball mill were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray analysis. We found that the severe deformation processing of UHMWPE changed the morphology of the powder and caused amorphization and partial changes in the structure of the crystalline phase. Monolithic samples were obtained from the pretreated polymer with a hot-pressing method in a wide range of temperatures. The effect of preliminary deformation processing on the mechanical properties of UHMWPE was studied. It was revealed that during monolitization in its melting temperature range, the mechanical properties of the powder increased, whereas the percentage elongation decreased. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.