6806.20.00.00 - Exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag and similar expanded mineral materials (including intermixtures thereof)

This HTS classification, 6806.20.00.00, specifically addresses exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag, and other similar expanded mineral materials. These materials are characterized by their lightweight and porous nature, typically achieved through processes that cause them to expand significantly when heated or otherwise treated. This expansion imparts desirable properties such as thermal insulation, sound absorption, and fire resistance. Examples include perlite expanded by heat, lightweight aggregates derived from expanded clay (such as "LECA"), and foamed slag produced during iron and steel manufacturing.

The distinction between this category and its sibling, 6806.10.00, is crucial. While 6806.10.00 covers slag wool, rock wool, and similar mineral wools, which are fibrous in structure and also used for insulation, this category focuses on expanded mineral materials that are granular or particulate in form due to their expansion process. Both aim for thermal and acoustic insulation but are derived and processed differently.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, classification within 6806.20.00.00 is determined by the material itself being exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clay, foamed slag, or a similar product resulting from the expansion of minerals. Intermixtures of these expanded materials are also encompassed. The primary classification criterion is the expanded nature and mineral origin of the material, rather than its final form (e.g., bulk, sheets, or articles) unless otherwise specified in a broader heading.