We reported the effects of four kinds of aromatic compounds (diphenylacetylene, biphenyl, anthracene, pyrene) on the gamma-irradiation resistance of the styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene/polystyrene (SEBS/PS) blends. It was found that, after gamma irradiation, the blends with aromatic additives had improved mechanical, dielectric, and thermal characteristics when compared with those samples without additives, and that among the four compounds, pyrene was shown to be the most effective additive. The rheological results were consistent with the changes of mechanical, dielectric, and thermal properties, and the blends with pyrene had the lowest values of melt-flow rate after gamma irradiation. The possible mechanism of the effects of the aromatic compounds on the irradiation resistance SEBS/PS blends was also suggested. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 1076-1081,2009