Advancing Steel Joining: A Critical Review of Adhesives and Sealants for High-Performance Automotive and Construction Applications

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.