Find HS Code and trade information for round carbide cutter

Round Carbide Cutter

A round carbide cutter is a cutting tool used in machining operations to remove material from a workpiece. These cutters utilize a rotating circular blade composed of carbide, a hard and brittle material known for its high wear resistance and ability to maintain sharpness at elevated temperatures.

Material:

The cutting element is typically made from carbide, specifically either:

• Tungsten Carbide (WC): The most common type, offering a good balance of hardness, toughness, and wear resistance.
• Titanium Carbide (TiC): Used for higher abrasion resistance, suitable for abrasive materials.
• Tantalum Carbide (TaC): Employed in applications requiring extreme hardness and heat resistance.
• The carbide is often combined with a binder metal (typically Cobalt) to improve toughness and reduce brittleness. The percentage of Cobalt affects the cutter’s properties; higher Cobalt content increases toughness but reduces hardness.

The cutter body, which holds the carbide insert, is usually made of steel alloy.

Purpose & Function:

Round carbide cutters are designed for a variety of cutting operations, primarily:

• Profiling: Creating curved or complex shapes in materials.
• Slotting: Cutting narrow grooves or channels.
• Contouring: Following a specific path to remove material and achieve a desired shape.
• Finishing: Achieving a smooth surface finish.
• Deburring: Removing sharp edges or imperfections.

The cutter functions by rotating at high speed, allowing the sharp carbide edges to shear away material. The geometry of the cutter (number of flutes, flute depth, helix angle, and corner radius) significantly impacts the cutting performance, chip evacuation, and surface finish.

Usage Scenarios:

These cutters are commonly used in:

• CNC Milling: Automated machining of complex parts.
• Manual Milling: Used with milling machines for various cutting tasks.
• Metalworking: Cutting steel, aluminum, cast iron, and other metals.
• Woodworking: Profiling and shaping wood.
• Plastic Machining: Cutting plastics and acrylics.

Common Types:

• Solid Carbide Cutters: Made entirely of carbide, offering high rigidity and precision. Suitable for high-speed machining and complex geometries.
• Carbide Insert Cutters: Feature replaceable carbide inserts, allowing for easy replacement when worn or damaged. More economical for large-volume production.
• Corner Radius Cutters: Have a radius on the cutting edges, providing a smoother finish and reducing stress concentrations.
• Ball Nose Cutters: Have a hemispherical end, ideal for 3D contouring and sculpting.
• Flat End Cutters: Have a flat end, suitable for slotting and profiling.
• Side and Face Cutters: Designed for cutting both sides and the face of a workpiece.
• Dove Tail Cutters: Used for cutting dove tail joints.
• Shell Mill Cutters: Use replaceable inserts around the cutter body for larger cutting diameters.

Considerations:

• Cutting Speed & Feed Rate: Optimizing these parameters is crucial to maximize cutting efficiency and tool life.
• Coolant: Using coolant helps to lubricate the cutting process, reduce heat buildup, and flush away chips.
• Tool Holding: Securely clamping the cutter in a tool holder is essential for preventing vibration and ensuring accurate cutting.
• Chip Evacuation: Proper chip evacuation is vital to prevent chip buildup and re-cutting, which can damage the cutter and workpiece.
• Material Compatibility: Selecting a cutter with the appropriate carbide grade for the workpiece material is critical.

Based on the provided information, “round carbide cutter” can be classified under the following HS codes:

• 8209000030: This HS code covers Plates, sticks, tips and the like for tools, unmounted, of cermets Of sintered metal carbides. This classification applies to unmounted components made of sintered metal carbides, which are commonly used in tool manufacturing. A round carbide cutter, being a tool component, falls under this category. The basic tariff is 4.6%, with an additional 25.0% tariff, increasing to 30% after April 2, 2025, resulting in a total tariff of 59.6%.

• 8209000060: This HS code also covers Plates, sticks, tips and the like for tools, unmounted, of cermets Of other cermets. If the round carbide cutter is made of cermets other than sintered metal carbides, this HS code is applicable. The tariff structure is identical to 8209000030: a basic tariff of 4.6%, an additional 25.0% tariff, increasing to 30% after April 2, 2025, for a total tariff of 59.6%.

• 8208100060: This HS code covers Knives and cutting blades, for machines or for mechanical appliances, and base metal parts thereof: For metal working, and parts thereof Other (including parts). If the round carbide cutter is considered a complete cutting blade for metalworking, this HS code may be applicable. The basic tariff is 0.0%, with an additional 25.0% tariff, increasing to 30% after April 2, 2025, resulting in a total tariff of 55.0%.

It is important to determine whether the round carbide cutter is an unmounted component (8209000030 or 8209000060) or a complete cutting blade (8208100060) to ensure correct classification.