Retardation of dissolution of highly oriented polyethylene fibers exposed to solvent under a constant tensile force has been investigated in comparison to free conditions. Beyond a critical value of the applied force, the time for dissolution increases sharply by several orders of magnitude. This effect is significant only in fibers with high initial orientation. It is attributed to the existence of a network of oriented crystallites. We have utilized this effect for surface modification of highly oriented PE fibers, by exposure to solvent at different temperatures and applied stress. At a relatively low load the action of the solvent displays pronounced effects : roughening of the fiber surface, formation of a nonoriented crystalline phase, enhancement of adhesion to epoxy resin with some loss of strength.