What It Is
Purolite Shallow Shell™ SSTC60 is a gel strong acid cation resin used in potable and non-potable water softening. 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.
Each SST bead has an inert core and a uniform depth of active resin, so the path the ions travel is shorter than in a conventional bead. Purolite reports that this gives more complete regeneration with less salt — regenerant reductions of 2–4 lb/ft³ per regeneration compared with conventional softening resins, without sacrificing capacity or increasing leakage — and that it regenerates with about 50% less water. Purolite also lists better iron removal, lower leakage and greater resistance to fouling and oxidation.
For capacity and leakage at your own water analysis, Purolite refers designers to its PRSM™ software. Send us your water test and flow rate and we will size the bed for you.
Operating Conditions — Co-Current Softening
Purolite’s standard operating conditions (Application Guide, Table 2). “Gallons” are U.S. gallons; BV = bed volumes.
| Step | Rate | Solution | Minutes | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service | 1.0–7.5 gpm/ft³ (8–60 BV/h) | Influent water | Per design | Per design |
| Backwash | See Purolite’s backwash expansion chart | Influent water, 40–80 °F (5–30 °C) | 5–20 | 10–20 gal/ft³ (1.5–4 BV) |
| Regeneration | 0.25–0.9 gpm/ft³ (2–7 BV/h) | 8–20% NaCl (brine) | 10–30 | 2–15 lb salt per ft³ |
| Rinse (slow) | 0.25–0.90 gpm/ft³ (2–7 BV/h) | Influent water | 12–60 | 10–15 gal/ft³ (1.5–2 BV) |
| Rinse (fast) | 1.0–5.0 gpm/ft³ (8–40 BV/h) | Influent water | 6–30 | 8–40 gal/ft³ (1–5 BV) |
Backwash expansion 50–75% and design rising space (freeboard) 100% of the bed depth. Purolite’s data sheet adds that the bed should be expanded 50–70% for at least 10 to 15 minutes during backwash, and about 30 minutes when first put into service to classify the bed. Expansion rises with flow rate and falls as water warms, so take care not to wash resin out of the top of the tank.
Handling & Safety
Purolite’s US Safety Data Sheet for SSTC60 (SDS US 904573, issued 2 June 2020) states that the product is not classified as hazardous and is not a “Hazardous Chemical” under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. Direct contact with the eyes may cause temporary irritation, so wear safety glasses when loading a tank and wash your hands afterwards. Keep it away from strong oxidizing agents and nitric acid, and do not exceed the 140 °F temperature limit. It is not regulated as dangerous goods for DOT, IATA or IMDG transport.
California Proposition 65: Purolite’s SDS states, “This material is not known to contain any chemicals currently listed as carcinogens or reproductive toxins.”
Warranty
Purolite publishes no warranty on this resin. Its data sheet says:
“NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IS MADE CONCERNING THE GOODS DESCRIBED OR THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN.”
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. Run it within the operating conditions above and it will do its job.
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
📄 Purolite SSTC60 Product Data Sheet (PDF) 📄 Purolite SSTC60 Application Guide (PDF) ⚠️ Purolite Safety Data Sheets (search “SSTC60”)
For the Safety Data Sheet, search “SSTC60” on Purolite’s SDS portal and choose the United States / English version (product 121814E). Make sure you pick SSTC60, not SSTC60H, which is the hydrogen form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SST-60 the same as standard softener resin such as Purolite C100E?
No. Both are sodium-form gel strong acid cation resins and both soften water, so either will work in a standard softener. SST-60 (Purolite Shallow Shell SSTC60) is Purolite’s high-efficiency version: each bead has an inert core, so it regenerates with less salt and rinses with less water. C100E is Purolite’s standard softening resin and costs less per cubic foot. Tell us which one your system was built with and we will quote either.
Does it need electricity?
No. This is a box of resin beads that goes inside a softener tank. The softener’s control valve may need power; the resin does not.
Can I put it in my existing softener?
Purolite states that no equipment modifications are needed and that it suits co-flow, counter-flow and packed-bed systems. Because it regenerates more efficiently, the salt setting can often be reduced — ask us before changing it.
Sources: Purolite (Ecolab) Product Data Sheet, Shallow Shell™ SSTC60, 11 May 2026; Application Guide “Shallow Shell™ SSTC60 Resin for Softening”, P-000031-NPOLD-0824-R4-PCO (2024); Safety Data Sheet SSTC60, SDS US 904573, issued 2 June 2020. Figures are typical values published by the manufacturer; confirm suitability for your system with us before purchase. Purolite™, Shallow Shell™ and SST™ are trademarks of Ecolab.
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