7228.60.60.00 - Not cold-formed

This HTS category encompasses "other bars and rods of other alloy steel" that have not undergone a cold-forming process. This means the steel products in this classification retain their shape and dimensions primarily through hot-working methods or by being cut and machined from larger forms. The "other alloy steel" designation signifies that these are not standard carbon steels but rather steels with specified quantities of one or more alloying elements (such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, or vanadium) that impart enhanced properties like strength, hardness, or corrosion resistance.

It is crucial to distinguish this category from its sibling, 7228.60.80.00, which covers "cold-formed" bars and rods. The primary differentiator lies in the manufacturing process. Goods classified under 7228.60.60.00 are characterized by being shaped at elevated temperatures, often resulting in less precise dimensional tolerances compared to cold-formed items. Conversely, cold-formed steel undergoes shaping at or near room temperature, leading to improved surface finish, tighter tolerances, and increased tensile strength.

As a leaf node within the HTS structure, this category does not have further subcategories. Therefore, classification under 7228.60.60.00 depends on the absence of cold-forming and the presence of alloy steel composition for bars and rods that do not fit into more specific categories within Chapter 72. Examples might include hot-rolled alloy steel bars used in specialized machinery components, structural applications requiring specific alloy properties, or general manufacturing where precise cold-formed tolerances are not a prerequisite.