The two polyesters (polybutylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate) were treated with aqueous as well as alcoholic solutions of sodium hydroxide at varying temperatures for different durations of time. The results were evaluated in terms of the loss in weight of the samples. The fabric samples of polyethylene terephthalate showed a greater degree of weight loss as compared to those of polybutylene terephthalate. The mechanism for the differences in the action of alkali on these two polyesters is explained. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.