Abstract This paper reports on bonding characteristics of assemblies using as substrates poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polypropylene (PP), and as melt adhesives an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, a polyurethane (PUr), and low density polyethylene (LDPE). Peel strength measurements on freshly assembled joints were compared with results for samples aged under inert and humid conditions. Significant time-dependent variations of bond strength were observed in all cases, but the direction of change varied among the assemblies. Those involving only dispersion-force materials displayed losses of bond strength, attributable to the gradual accumulation of cohesively weak layers at the substrate/adhesive interface. In assemblies involving materials able to interact by non-dispersion (acid/base) forces, as indicated by inverse gas chromatographic data, a variety of responses was obtained. These have been rationalized by the ability of the EVA and PUr adhesives to reori...