8477.10.90.15 - Of a type used for processing rubber or other thermosetting materials

This HTS category, 8477.10.90.15, specifically covers injection-molding machines that are designed and utilized for the processing of rubber or other thermosetting materials. These machines operate by injecting molten material into a mold cavity where it then cures or solidifies through chemical reaction or heat, forming the final product. The distinction lies in the material being processed; thermosetting materials undergo irreversible chemical changes upon heating, unlike thermoplastics which can be repeatedly melted and reshaped.

While the parent category encompasses various machinery for working with rubber and plastics, and a sibling category (8477.10.90.05) is dedicated to injection-molding machines for thermoplastics, this specific classification isolates those machines tailored for the unique properties and processing requirements of thermosetting compounds, such as epoxies, phenolics, or natural rubber. The operational parameters, mold designs, and curing mechanisms of machines in this category are optimized for these distinct material characteristics.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories. Classification into this specific code is determined by the definitive identification of the machine's primary function as injection molding and its intended application for processing thermosetting materials or rubber. The presence of a dedicated classification underscores the trade and customs importance of distinguishing between the processing of thermoplastics and thermosetting materials within the broader scope of injection-molding machinery.