In what situations might a technician use adhesive bonding during repairs?

Adhesive bonding is a valuable technique in collision repair and is particularly useful for attaching structural components when welding is not feasible. This situation can arise in various scenarios, such as when the materials being joined are dissimilar or when the joining process needs to be controlled to prevent damage to sensitive components. Adhesives offer several advantages, including the ability to bond materials without altering their properties, providing a strong and flexible joint, and avoiding the heat and distortion associated with welding.

In contrast, the other choices describe narrower or inappropriate uses for adhesive bonding. For instance, while adhesives can be useful for cosmetic repairs, they are not limited to just these types of jobs. Additionally, although adhesives can bond plastic parts, they are not exclusively for that purpose; they can bond various materials, including metals and composites. Lastly, using adhesives solely for temporary fixes undermines their strength and durability, which make them suitable for permanent repairs when correctly employed. Thus, option A encompasses the broader applications of adhesive bonding in collision repair, highlighting its role in structural integrity when welding is not an option.