###### Abstract  
In recent years, the adhesive bonding method has gained increased attention, especially in the automotive industry, for constructing efficient body structures from dissimilar and lightweight materials such as aluminum and polymeric composites. Adhesively bonded automotive structures endure complicated loading conditions, including tensile and bending loading, during their service lives. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no published work on the assessment of bending strength in single-lap adhesive joints (SLJs) when considering dissimilar adherents under three-point bending. In this study, three-point bend experiments were carried on the bending strength and the failure mechanisms of dissimilar SLJs made of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and aluminum substrates bonded with Araldite 2015 adhesive. Additional experiments were conducted individually on similar SLJs, including aluminum/aluminum and CFRP/CFRP, to investigate and compare the effects of adherent material type on the bending strength and failure behavior of SLJs. The results indicate that a CFRP/CFRP single-lap adhesive joint exhibits significantly higher joint strength in comparison to an aluminum/aluminum single-lap adhesive joint under three-point bending. The strength of dissimilar CFRP/aluminum single-lap joints usually falls between that of an aluminum/aluminum and that of a CFRP/CFRP single-lap adhesive joint. When the CFRP adhered is situated at the bottom of the joint in three-point bending, it imparts significantly greater joint strength and deformation compared to situations where the aluminum adherents is placed at the bottom. adhesive; CFRP/aluminum hybrid joint; bending strength; single-lap joint Article Characterization of Bending Strength in Similar and Dissimilar Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer/Aluminum Single-Lap Adhesive Joints]Applied  
[PERSON]][PERSON]; [PERSON]; [PERSON]; [PERSON]. between aluminum and composite materials, and potential damage to coated surfaces due to high heat exposure. In contrast, adhesive bonding technology offers a compelling solution to these challenges, providing a wide array of advantages [9]. These advantages include ensuring uniform stress distribution within the bonding area, enhancing fatigue and impact resistance, reducing stress concentration in the bonded region, and facilitating the joining of dissimilar materials. Adhesives can offer versatile applications throughout the car bodyshell, with these applications being influenced by factors such as adhesive stiffness, strength, and the specific placement of the adhesive within the bodyshell. For instance, certain nonstructural adhesives with lower strength (like polyurethanes [10; 11]) are employed for purposes such as sealing or creating joints in regions of the vehicle that are not considered structural components. Conversely, other types of structural adhesives with greater strength, such as epoxy-based adhesives [9; 12], find use in creating joints between structural elements such as chassis parts or metallic and non-metallic thin-walled critical components of a car's bodyshell. Consequently, the uses of adhesives can be neatly categorized into two distinct groups: structural (a connection that must bear significant forces) and nonstructural adhesive joints. In recent years, polymeric composite materials have emerged as crucial components within the automotive industry, bringing about a transformation in vehicle design, manufacturing, and performance. These sophisticated materials, typically comprising a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers or particles, offer a wide array of advantages and have applications in the automotive sector. Their benefits include weight reduction, enhanced fuel efficiency, bolstered structural integrity, and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) reduction. The integration of polymeric composites with traditional metals in car bodyshell manufacturing can be accomplished through a variety of methods.