For centuries, steel has been a cornerstone material for structural construction;
by contrast, adhesive joining is a relatively nascent technology, particularly
in heavy structural applications. The present article aims to provide the reader
a review of the applications of adhesive joining in steel-based applications.
Steel being a popular material in many industries due to its excellent
mechanical properties, but traditional joining methods might have certain
limitations viz. ability to withstand vibrations or movement, distortion,
difficult to repair, and the like. Adhesive joining provides an alternative
approach that offers advantages like reduced weight, improved corrosion
resistance, enhanced aesthetics, ability to join multi-materials, ability to
resist vibrations to a certain limit, and the like. This article examines the
use of steel within the automotive and construction industries, intentionally
narrowing its scope from steel’s broader range of applications. This article
tries to provide the reader an overview of some of the applications and focuses
on the relevant principles of adhesive joining, types of adhesives used, surface
preparation techniques, joining methods, and the mechanical properties of
adhesive joints. Finally, the article examines current challenges and outlines
future research trends in the field of adhesive joining, with a focus on similar
applications.
