What It Is
IonPlus™ CA-12 is the 10% grade of Carbochem’s strong acid cation resin. It is the resin that does the softening inside a water softener tank: hardness (calcium and magnesium) is exchanged for sodium as water passes through it, and a salt brine regeneration restores it.
Carbochem describes it as a highly cross-linked styrene divinylbenzene strong acid cation resin in bead form that provides longer life when operating under aggressive conditions, intended for use in industrial water softening and deionization. Its limit for free chlorine in the feed is 1.0 ppm.
Carbochem states capacity in milliequivalents, not grains. Send us your water test and flow rate and we will size the bed and salt setting for you.
Suggested Operating Conditions
From Carbochem’s IonPlus CA-12 data sheet. Carbochem gives flow rates in m/h — a velocity, i.e. flow per square foot of bed cross-section, not per cubic foot of resin. The gpm/ft² figures are our conversions (1 m/h = 0.409 gpm/ft²).
| Step | Carbochem figure |
|---|---|
| Service flow rate | 10–45 m/h (about 4.1–18.4 gpm/ft², converted) |
| Regenerant strength | NaCl 8–10% (HCl 4–5% where regenerated with acid) |
| Regenerant flow rate | 4–6 m/h (about 1.6–2.5 gpm/ft², converted) |
| Regenerant contact time | 30–60 minutes |
| Rinse flow rate | 10–20 m/h (about 4.1–8.2 gpm/ft², converted) |
Handling & Safety
Carbochem’s Safety Data Sheet for its IonPlus™ CA-10, CA-12 and CA-16 resins (revision May 2016) states that the ion exchange resin is not determined to be hazardous. It may cause irritation on direct contact with the eyes, and inhaling dust may irritate the airways, so wear safety goggles and rubber gloves when loading a tank. Keep it away from oxidizing agents, with which Carbochem says it is highly reactive. It is not regulated as hazardous goods for transport, and Carbochem notes that new or used ion exchange resins generally are not hazardous waste.
California Proposition 65: Carbochem’s SDS makes no statement about Proposition 65 either way — it neither gives a warning nor says the product is free of listed chemicals. Its composition section lists sodium polystyrene sulfonate (40–65%) and water (35–60%). If you need a written Proposition 65 statement for your records, ask us and we will request one from the manufacturer.
Warranty
Carbochem publishes no warranty terms for this resin. Its data sheet says only:
“WARRANTY – LIABILITY: Contact CARBOCHEM INC. for details.”
and its Safety Data Sheet adds that “since the conditions of handling and use are beyond our control, we make no guarantee for results obtained, and assume no responsibility for damages incurred by use of this product.”
This is normal for ion exchange resins and is not a mark against the product: resin performance depends on the water it is fed and how the softener is run, which the manufacturer does not control.
For anything covered by our own sale terms — short shipment, transit damage, or the wrong item supplied — contact us on 408-969-2688 or sales@foreverpureplace.com. Those are our terms, separate from the manufacturer’s position above.
Manufacturer Documentation
📄 Carbochem IonPlus CA-12 Product Data (PDF) ⚠️ Carbochem IonPlus Cation Resin Safety Data Sheet (PDF)
Both are Carbochem’s own documents. The data sheet is undated and older than the SDS; where its water-retention figure differs from Carbochem’s current grade table, the table is shown above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “10%” mean, and do I need it?
It is the resin grade: Carbochem lists CA-12 as “Strong Acid Cation (10%)” and its standard grade CA-10 as “Strong Acid Cation (8%)”. Carbochem describes CA-12 as highly cross-linked and giving longer life under aggressive conditions. Tell us about your water and we will tell you which grade fits.
Does it need electricity?
No. This is resin beads that go inside a softener tank. The softener’s control valve may need power; the resin does not.
Sources: Carbochem Inc. Product Data, IonPlus™ CA-12 (undated); Carbochem Safety Data Sheet, IonPlus™ CA-10 / CA-12 / CA-16, revision May 2016; Carbochem ion exchange resin grade table, carbochem.com (viewed 27 October 2026). Values marked “converted” are our unit conversions. Figures are typical values published by the manufacturer; confirm suitability for your system with us before purchase. IonPlus™ is a trademark of Carbochem Inc.
Question? Please contact us
