The influence of component composition, as well as hydration and electron irradiation conditions, on mechanical, optical, diffusion, and hydrophilic properties of radiation-crosslinked hydrogels prepared on the basis of the polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol system has been investigated from the viewpoint of their application to the fabrication of medical dressings to treat burns and wounds. A significant impact of the electron irradiation intensity and the temperature of initial solutions on the processes of polymer radiation crosslinking is experimentally revealed and analyzed. The hydrophily of crosslinked hydrogels is demonstrated to depend more strongly on the exposure dose than on the gel composition. The optimal intervals of radiation doses and polymer concentrations, at which the radiation-crosslinked hydrogel satisfies requirements for medical dressing materials are determined. K e y w o r d s: radiation crosslinked hydrogels, polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol system, medical dressing materials.