The objective of the present research work is to study the effect of different amounts of melamine-formaldehyde (MF) viz., 0-20 parts by dry weight on the thermal stability of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) latex impregnated polyester nonwoven fabric composites. From the thermogravimetric analysis, the improvement in thermal stability of the composites was noticed with increase in the MF content. Composites fabricated with five parts MF-incorporated PVAc showed a drastic increase in the onset degradation temperature when compared with unfilled composites. It was found that the degradation of MF-loaded PVAc-polyester nonwoven fabric composites takes place in two steps. Degradation kinetic parameters were calculated for the composites using Broido and Horowitz-Metzger methods. The tensile fractured composite specimens were analyzed using scanning electron microscope to know the morphological behavior. The increased percentage ash content also Supports for the increased thermal stability of the composites with increasing the MF content in the system. The adhesion between the fiber and matrix can be seen from scanning electron microphotographs. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 111: 1165-1171, 2009