The adsorption of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) from aqueous solutions on a styrenic cation-exchange resin was determined, using dynamic (chromatographic) and static (batch) methods. Cation exchange site occupancy (theta) is less than 1% for short (100 s) contact times of surfactant solution with resin, but a approaches unity after 20-30 h, at the highest concentrations and temperatures used in this work. a vs time curves are not smooth and show surges of surfactant sorption, at some points. Microscopic examination showed that resin particles swell and break down during surfactant sorption, evidencing that the mechanical tensions created in this process are sufficient to induce fracture in highly cross-linked, poorly plasticized particles.