5911.32.00.10 - Press felts

This HTS classification covers "Press felts," which are specialized textile fabrics specifically designed for use in the pressing stages of various industrial processes, most notably papermaking. These felts are characterized by their substantial weight, meeting the criteria of 650 g/m² or more, and their construction is engineered to withstand the high pressures and mechanical stresses inherent in these applications. Their primary function is to absorb moisture and provide a continuous surface for conveying and pressing materials.

While this category pertains to press felts, it is important to distinguish them from sibling categories such as dryer felts and dryer fabrics (5911.32.00.20) and paper-forming fabrics (5911.32.00.30). Dryer felts are primarily used in the drying sections of paper machines, focusing on heat transfer and moisture removal. Paper-forming fabrics, on the other hand, are found in the wet end of the papermaking process, where they support the initial formation of the paper sheet. This distinction is crucial as each type of felt or fabric is engineered with specific material properties and structural characteristics to optimize performance within its designated functional area of the machine.

As this classification is a leaf node, there are no further subdivisions within this specific HTS code. Therefore, classification under 5911.32.00.10 relies on the precise definition of a "press felt" as a textile article weighing 650 g/m² or more, intended for use in the pressing sections of papermaking or similar industrial machinery. This includes felts designed for applications such as dewatering, pressing pulp, or in the production of asbestos-cement sheets, where their absorbency and compressibility are paramount.