5910.00.10.20 - Synchronous belts

This HTS classification, 5910.00.10.20, specifically covers synchronous belts. These are a type of power transmission belt made from textile materials, which may be impregnated, coated, covered, or laminated with plastics, or reinforced with metal or other materials. Synchronous belts are characterized by their toothed surface, designed to engage with corresponding grooves on pulleys. This toothed design ensures precise speed ratios and positive engagement, preventing slippage and allowing for accurate power transmission in applications requiring synchronized motion.

This category is distinguished from its sibling, 5910.00.10.10 (V-belts), by its fundamental design. V-belts, also made from textile materials and designed for power transmission, feature a trapezoidal cross-section that wedges into V-shaped pulley grooves for frictional power transfer. In contrast, synchronous belts, classified here, rely on mechanical meshing of teeth and grooves for power transmission, eliminating slippage and offering higher efficiency and precision. The sibling category 5910.00.10.30, "Other," would encompass power transmission belts of textile material not specifically classified as V-belts or synchronous belts.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories to introduce. Classification under 5910.00.10.20 is definitive for synchronous belts that meet the preceding criteria of being textile-based power transmission belts. Practical classification will hinge on the identification of the toothed profile designed for positive engagement with pulleys, differentiating it from belts relying on friction for power transfer.