WCO Explanatory Notes reproduced for reference. © World Customs Organization. Verify against official WCO publication.
Subheading Explanatory Note. Subheadings 8104.11 and 8104.19 These subheadings also cover ingots and similar unwraught forms cast from remelted magnesium waste and scrap. - 81.05 Cobalt mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy; cobalt and articles thereof, including waste and scrap. 8105.20 - Cobalt mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy; unwrought cobalt; powders 8105.30 - Waste and scrap 8105.90 - Other Cobalt is mainly obtained fiom the ores hetero mite (hydrated oxide of cobalt), li-maeite (sulphide of cobalt and nickel) and smaltite (coba t arsenide). When smelted, the sulphrde and arsenide ores produce mattes and other intermediate products. AAer treatment to eliminate other metals, cobalt oxide is obtained, and this is reduced with carbon, aluminium, etc. The metal is also extracted by electrolytic processes, and by treatment of the residues fiom the refining of copper, nickel, srlver, etc. f Cobalt is a silve corrosion-resistant metal, harder than nickel, and is the most magnetic of the non-ferrous met s. In its ure state, it is used as a coating for other metals (by,electrolyticdeposition), as a catal st, t as a tinder in the manufacture of metallic carbide cutt~ngtools, as a component of co alt samarium magnets or of certain alloyed steels, etc. There are many cobalt alloys; those which may fall in the heading in accordance with Note 5 to Section XV include : (1) The cobalt-chromium-tungsten (" StelIite ") oup (often containing small proportions of other elements). These are used in the manu acture of valves and valve seats, tools, etc., because of their resistance to wear and corrosion at high temperatures. B (2) Cobalt-iron-chromium alloys, e-g., the low thermal expansion types and powerfdly magnetic group. (3) Cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys, used in jet engines. This heading covers cobalt mattes, other intermediate products of cobalt metallur and cobalt in all its forms, e.g., ingots, cathodes, granules, powders, waste and scrap an articles not elsewhere specified. B 81.06 - Bismuth and articles thereof, including waste and scrap. This metal occurs in the native state, but it is mainly obtained either by refinin residues of lead, copper, etc., or by extraction from the sulphide or carbonate ores (e.g., ismuthinite and bismutite). eB Bismuth is white with a reddish tint, brittle, difficult to work and a bad conductor. It is used in scientific apparatus and in the preparation of chemical compounds for pharmaceutical use. It forms fusible alloys (some meltin below 100 "C)of which the following may fall in the heading in accordance with Note 5 to ection XV : (I) Bismuth-lead-tin alloys (sometimes with cadmium, etc.) (e.g., Darcet's, Lipowit's, Newton's or Wood's alloys), used as solders, casting alloys, fusible elements for fire-extinguishers, boilers. (2) Bismuth-indium-lead-tin-cadmiumalloys, used in taking surgical casts. 81.07 - Cadmium and articles thereof, including waste and scrap. - Unwrought cadmium; powders 8107.30 - Waste and scrap 8107.90 - Other 8107.20 Cadmium is largely obtained from residues of the extraction of zinc, copper or lead, usually by distillation or electrolysis. Cadmium resembles zinc in appearance but is softer. It is largely used to coat other metals (by spraying or electro-deposition), as a de-oxidant in the manufacture of copper, silver, nickel, etc. Because of its very high rate of absorption of slow neutrons, it is also used for the manufacture of mobile control and monitor rods for nuclear reactors. The principal cadmium alloys which may fall in the heading in accordance with Note 5 to Section XV are cadmium-zinc alloys used for hot-dip anti-corrosion coating, as solders and for brazing. Other alloys containing the same metals (e.g., certain bearing alloys) may, however, be excluded. - 81.08 Titanium and articles thereof, including waste and scrap. - Unwrought titanium; powders 8108.30 - Waste and scrap 8108.90 - Other 8108.20 Titanium is obtained by reduction of the oxide ores rutile and brookite, and from ilmenite titaniferous iron ore). According to the process used, the metal may be obtained in compact o m , as a powder for sintering (as in the case of tungsten), as ferro-htanium (Chapter 72) or as titanium carbide. Titanium is white and shin when compact, dark grey when a powder; it is resistant to corrosion, hard and brittle un ess very pure. Ferro-titanium and ferro-silicon-titanium (Chapter 72) are used in steel manufacture; the metal is also alloyed with aluminium, copper, nickel, etc. Titanium is princi ally used in the aircrafl industry, in shipbuilding, for making, e.g., vats, agitators, heat exc!l angers, valves and pumps for the chemical industry, for the desalinabon of sea-water and for the construction of nuclear power stations. This heading covers titanium in all forms : in particular, sponge, ingots, powder, anodes, bars and rods, sheets and plates, waste and scrap, and products other than those articles covered by other Cha, ters of the Nomenclature (generally Section XVI or XVII), such as helicopter rotors, propeller lades, pumps or valves. g The classification of the carbide follows that of tungsten carbide (see the Explanatory Note to heading 81.01). - 81.09 Zirconium and articles thereof, including waste and scrap. 8109.20 - Unwrought zirconium; powders 8109.30 - Waste and scrap 8109.90 - Other Zirconium is obtained from the silicate ore, zircon, by reduction of the oxide, chloride, etc., or by electrolysis. It is a silver-grey, malleable and ductile metal. It is used in photo-flash bulbs, for the manufacture of getters or absorbents in radio valve manufacture, etc. Ferro-zirconium (Chapter 72) is used in steel manufacture, and the metal is also alloyed with nickel, etc. ';), Zirconium, alone or alloyed with t i n i ' zircalloy is also used in the manufacture of sheaths for nuclear fuel cartridges and of met structures or nuclear plant. Zirconium-plutonium alloys and zirconium-uranium alloys are used as nuclear fuel. For nuclear purposes all but traces of hafnium must first be removed. 81.10 - Antimony and articles thereof, including waste and scrap. 8110.10 - Unwrought antimony; powders - Waste and scrap 8110.90 - Other 8 110.20 Antimony is mainly obtained from the sulphide ore stibnite by : (1) Concentration and liquation to produce the so-called " crude antimony " which is, in fact, crude sulphide proper to heading 26.17. (2) Smelting to produce impure antimony known as " singles " (regulus). (3) Further smelting to produce " star bowls " which, after refining, give the purest forms, " star antimony ' or " French metal ". Antimony is a lustrous white metal with a bluish tinge, brittle and easily powdered. It has very few uses in the unalloyed form. It is however alloyed, especially with lead and tin, to harden them, to produce bearin allo s, rinters' and other castmg a110 s, pewter, Britannia metal, etc. (see Chapters 7 i a n J81, where t ese alloys normally all because of the predominance of lead or tin). S ? 81.11 - Manganese and articles thereof, including waste and scrap. Manganese is extracted by reduction of the oxide ores, pyrolusite, braunite and manganite. It is also obtained by electrolysis. The metal itself, which is grey-pink, hard and brittle, is rarely used as such. It is however a constituent of spiegeleisen, ferromanganese, silico-manganese and certain alIoy cast irons and alloy steels; these products normally fall in Chapter 72, but ferro-manganese and silico-manganese may sometimes fall in this heading if the iron content is very low (see Note 1 (c) to Chapter 72). Manganese is also alloyed wlth copper, nickel, aluminium, etc. (E) GALLIUM Gallium is obtained as a by- roduct in the extraction of aluminium, zinc, copper and germanium, or ikom gasworks' ue dusts. tP It is a soft, greyish-white metal, melting at about 30" C and with a high va orisation point. It thus remains liquid over a large temperature range and is therefore used in !ace of mercury in thermometers and vapour arc lamps. It is also used in dental alloys and or silvering special mirrors. P (F) HAFNIUM Hafnium is extracted fiom the same ores as zirconium (zircon, etc.) and has properties very similar to that metal. Because of its very high rate of absorption of slow neutrons, it is in particular used for the manufacture of control and monitor rods for nuclear reactors. (G) INDIUM Indium is extracted fiom zinc residues. It is soft, silvery and resists corrosion. It is therefore used alone or with zinc, etc., to coat other metals. It is also alloyed with bismuth, lead or tin (alloy used in taking sur ical casts), with copper or lead (bearing alloys), and with gold (in jewellery, dental alloys, etc.f (H) NIOBIUM (COLOMBIUM) Niobium is obtained from the ores niobite (columbite) and tantalite, which are treated to obtain niobium-potassium fluoride. The metal is then extracted by electrolysis or other methods. It is a silvery-gre metal used in the manufacture of getters (to remove the last traces of gas in radio valve manu acture). H Niobium and its ferro-alloy (Chapter 72) are also used in the manufacture of steels and other alloys. (IJ) RHENIUM Rhenium is obtained as a by-product in the extraction of molybdenum, copper, etc. It is not much used at present, but its use in plating and as a catalyst has been suggested. (K) THALLIUM Thallium is extracted from the residues of the treatment of pyrites and other ores. It is a soft, greyish-white metal resembling lead. It is alloyed with lead (to raise its melting point, and to increase its strength, resistance to corrosion, etc.) and with silver (to prevent tarnishing). 81.13 - Cermets and articles thereof, including waste and scrap. Cermets contain both a ceramic constituent (resistant to heat and with a a metallic constituent. The manufacturing processes used in the and also their physical and chemical properties, are related both constituents, hence their name cermets. The ceramic constituent usually consists of oxides, carbides, borides, etc. The metal component consists of a metal such as iron, nickel, aluminium, chromium or cobalt. Cermets are made by sintering, by dispersion or by other processes. The most important cermets are obtained from : (I) A metal and an oxide, e.g., iron-mapesium oxide; nickel-magnesium oxide; chromium-aluminium oxide; aluminium-aluminium oxide. (2) Zirconium or chromium borides; these products are known as borolites. (3) Zirconium, chromium, tungsten, etc. carbides with cobalt, nickel or niobium. (4) Boron carbide and aluminium : aluminium-clad products known as boral cermets. The heading covers cermets, whether unwrought or in the form of articles not elsewhere specified in the Nomenclature. Cermets are used in the aircraft and nuclear industries and in missiles. They are also used in furnaces and metal foundries (e.g., as pots, spouts, tubes), in the manufacture of bearings, brake-linings, etc. The heading excludes : (a) Cermets containing fissile or radioactive substances (heading 28.44). (b) Plates, sticks, tips and the like for tools, of cermets with a basis of metal carbides agglomerated by sintering (heading 82.09).