8209.00.00 - Plates, sticks, tips and the like for tools, unmounted, of cermets

HTS code 8209.00.00 encompasses unmounted parts for tools, specifically designed as plates, sticks, tips, or similar shapes, and fabricated from cermets. Cermets, a composite material combining ceramic and metallic components, are utilized for their superior hardness, wear resistance, and high-temperature strength, making them ideal for cutting, drilling, and shaping applications in various industrial tools. This category is distinct from other headings within Chapter 82 that cover complete tools, cutlery, or implements of base metal. It specifically isolates the critical wear-resistant components that are intended to be affixed to a tool body.

The subcategories within 8209.00.00 further refine classification based on the specific composition of the cermet material. 8209.00.00.30 applies to those made from sintered metal carbides, which are a prevalent type of cermet known for their exceptional hardness and durability, often used in cutting inserts. The residual category, 8209.00.00.60, covers unmounted tool parts made from other types of cermets, which may incorporate different ceramic and metallic binders to achieve specialized performance characteristics for particular tool applications.