Joining technologies fall into three broad categories: mechanical fastening, welding and adhesive bonding. All three are relevant to the joining of plastics, but the requirements for mechanical fastenings are essentially the same as for other materials such as wood and metals. Consequently this Review Report concentrates on the other two areas; welding and adhesive bonding. The requirements of a joint between two plastic components, or a plastic and another material, will obviously depend upon the end use and the consequences of bond failure, and the selection of joining method must reflect this.

This report considers each of the most important thermoplastic materials in turn, and explains the characteristics which affect the choice of pre-treatment, joining method and adhesives. Thermosetting materials are considered as a single group with essentially similar properties with respect to bonding.

Many practical examples are provided by some 387 references and abstracts which have been selected from the Polymer Library to complete the report.