Abstract: Aqueous solutions of melamine-formaldehyde and melamine-urea-formaldehyde condensation products having anionic sulfo groups in concentrations as high as 50% by weight may be prepared in a three-stage process. In the first stage, melamine or a mixture of melamine with up to 40 mole-% urea, formaldehyde, and an alkali metal sulfite are condensed in aqueous solution at 60.degree.-80.degree.C and pH 10-13 until the solution is free from readily detectable amounts of sulfite. In the second stage, condensation is continued at pH 3.0-4.5 for 30 to 90 minutes. In the third stage, a temperature of 70.degree. to 95.degree.C and a pH of 7.5 to 9.0 are maintained until a sample of the solution, when diluted to 20% solids by weight, has a viscosity of 5 to 40 centipoises at 20.degree.C.

Abstract: The aqueous melamine resin solutions prepared according to the process of U.S. Pat. No. 2,730,516 by sequential condensation of a sulfite bearing, aqueous solution of melamine and formaldehyde at alkaline and acid pH and subsequent neutralization is stabilized by preliminary condensation of the melamine and formaldehyde prior to addition of the sulfite and by refluxing the ultimate condensation mixture at pH 8.5 for 1 hour or more. Concrete mixtures prepared with the stabilized resin solutions cure more rapidly.