Synthesis and properties of high-sulfonated melamine–formaldehyde resin

High-sulfonated melamine–formaldehyde (HSMF) resins were prepared with 1.0–2.0 of sulfite/melamine (S/M) molar ratio. The factors affecting the preparation and the properties of the resin were studied. Chemical analysis indicated that there are 0.98–1.96 sulfonate groups per unit of the polymeric chain. The viscosity of HSMF resins is lower than that of sulfonated melamine–formaldehyde (SMF) resins, and the HSMF resins are more effective superplasticizers at small dosages of admixture. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.