An ion exchange resin is a plastic polymer or resin that acts as a membrane for ion exchange. It's aqueous in nature, usually, in the form of tiny beads, typically white or very light yellow, manufactured from an organic compound polymer substrate. It's a good material to use since it can be designed to make just about any shape, with surfaces that are perfectly flat and chemically neutral. This property allows it to be used for a variety of applications.
Ion exchange resin manufacturers typically design their products to be used for the following applications: chemical analysis, wound dressing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, the skin, plastics, and other polymers, and even dentistry equipment. For instance, in June 2021, a major filtration technology company in the U.S., DuPont Water Solutions, announced to open a new production facility in Chauny, France to cater to the rising pharmaceutical demand in the European region. Owing to this broad list, it is not uncommon for companies to find themselves with hundreds of different ion exchange resins in their inventories. They are used in a wide range of applications, so they're useful in a variety of situations.
One important thing to note is that ion exchange resins have two specific measurements, one called "membrane capacity" and one called "capillary capacity". The Membrane Capacity is simply the amount of force needed to deform the resin material in a way that allows it to create an electrochemical gradient. The Capillary Capacity, on the other hand, is how much energy (Fenwick or flow) is required to make the desired chemical pattern.
There are several classifications of ion-exchange resins, and they all fall under three broad classifications. Firstly, there are ion exchange resins that are primarily used for chemical analysis or for the treatment of metals. These include stainless steel, beryllium copper, cadmium, and aluminum, among others. Second, there are copper ions exchange resins that are also used for chemical analysis or for the treatment of metals, but they are used instead of stainless steel or aluminum. The third classification is made up of those salts that do not absorb metal ions.