An experimental investigation was performed to study the effect of surface roughness and oxidation on the shear strength of single-lap-joints of AA6061, AA7075 aluminum alloys and an AISI 1080 steel alloy bonded with two different epoxy adhesives. An optimum surface roughness that provided the maximum shear strength was obtained for all the alloys at room temperature. The variation of the shear stress due to the different heat treatment temperatures revealed that the oxides developed on the alloy surfaces adversely affected the adhesive shear strength. The bulk concentration of magnesium of the aluminum alloys were also observed to affect the adhesive shear strength of the joints.