A bonding method bonds a buffer member to an adherend member, and includes: an adhesive application step of applying an adhesive to a part of the buffer member, the part being bonded to the adherend member; a first heating step of heating a part of the adherend member, the part being bonded to the buffer member; a second heating step of heating the part of the adherend member after the first heating step; and an attachment step of attaching the buffer member to the adherend member after the second heating step.

A process, apparatus and a catheter and a flexi needle for medical applications formed by the process of selecting a tubular flexible member and a metal/ceramic cap member to be securely joined to the tubular member, placing the cap member in engaging relation with a holding member of a material joining device, securing the tubular member on a positioning member of the material joining device, positioning a distal end of the tubular member in engaging relation with an end of the cap member positioned in the holding member, and rotating the holding member and maintaining the tubular member in frictionally engaging relation with the cap member to melt or soften a predetermined portion of the distal end of the tubular member engaged with the cap member to integrally join a predetermined portion of the distal end of the tubular member within the cap member forming a joined composite member.