Why is adhesive bonding increasingly used in automotive body construction?

Adhesive bonding is growing in automotive use because: Distributes stress over larger area versus point loads from welds; enables joining dissimilar materials (steel to aluminum, metal to composite); provides sealing and corrosion protection; adds structural stiffness; reduces or eliminates visible fasteners; lowers thermal distortion compared to welding; and dampens NVH. Common adhesives include structural epoxies, polyurethanes, and acrylics. Applications include hem flanges, roof-to-bodyside, windshield bonding, and composite panel attachment. Adhesives often supplement spot welds in weld-bonding for enhanced performance.