Which assembly method uses nonmetallic materials such as pastes, glues, or tapes?

Adhesive bonding is the assembly method that utilizes nonmetallic materials, including pastes, glues, and tapes, to join components together. This method is particularly effective for bonding dissimilar materials or when the appearance of the joint is important, as adhesives can create a seamless finish. Adhesives also distribute stress evenly across the joint, which can enhance the overall strength and durability of the assembly.

In contrast, mechanical fastening typically involves the use of hardware like bolts, screws, and nuts, which are metal components designed to create a physical connection. Welding involves fusing materials together using heat, which is again focused on metal materials, while riveting uses metal fasteners to join sheets of material by deforming them. These methods do not utilize nonmetallic materials in the same way adhesive bonding does.