Modifying agents for thermosetting resins and thermosetting resins prepared using these agents

A process for the manufacture of a modified melamine-formaldehyde resin comprising:

• subjecting the following to a condensation reaction, by combining:
• 1 mol of melamine;
• 1.5 to 3.5 mol of formaldehyde;
• and,
• 0.5 to 5% by-weight of a polyhydric alcohol based on melamine plus formaldehyde,
• wherein said condensation reaction is at a pH of 7.5 to 10 and a temperature of 70 to 100 degrees centigrade up to a water-dilutability of 1:1.0 to 2.0, and then
• 0. 5 to 10% by weight of a modifying agent is added based on the weight of the melamine and formaldehyde wherein said modifying agent is a condensation product of
• 200 to 300 parts by weight of formaldehyde solution and
• 100 to 150 parts by weight of a mixture of
• 10 to 75% by weight of dicyandiamide;
• 5 to 70% by weight of cold water-soluble starch which is soluble at a temperature of about 18.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C.;
• and,
• 20to 85% by weight of acetoguanamine.

A process for the manufacture of a modified melamine-formaldehyde resin comprising:

• subjecting the following to an aqueous condensation reaction, by combining:
• 1 mol of melamine;
• 1.5 to 3.5 mol of formaldehyde;
• 0.5 to 5% by weight of a polyhydric alcohol based on melamine plus formaldehyde;
• and,
• 0.5 to 10% by weight of a modifying agent based on the weight of the melamine and formaldehyde
• wherein said condensation reaction is at a pH of about 7.5 to about 10 and a temperature of about 70.degree. to about 100.degree. C. up to a water-dilutability of 1:1.0 to 2.0 and wherein said polyhydric alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diisopropylene glycol, dibutylene glycol, di-tert-butylene glycol and ethylene propyl glycol and wherein said modifying agent comprises:
• a) 10 to 70% by weight of dicyandiamide;
• b) 5 to 70% by weight of cold water soluble starch which is soluble at about 18.degree. to about 25.degree. C.;
• and,
• c) 20 to 85% by weight of a guanamine compound.