Earlier observations regarding the stabilization of periodate-oxidized cotton fiber by treat ment with chlorous acid or ethereal diazomethane are confirmed and evaluation of the treatments has been extended to a more complex system, cotton sewing thread. At low levels of oxidation the treated samples retain considerably more strength after exposure to sodium carbonate solution than do samples oxidized but not given a stabilization treatment. At high levels of oxidation the stabilizing treatments produce good reductions in alkali-solubility.
