A method of joining dissimilar metals includes the steps of applying a thin layer of pure aluminum to a surface of at least one of the dissimilar metals to be joined. The pure aluminum is applied by electroplating or by a PVD technique to prevent formation of oxides or intermetallic aluminum compounds in the pure aluminum layer. A barrier layer of chromium may also be applied between the substrate metal and the pure aluminum layer in high temperature applications such as where subsequent welding is anticipated to prevent the formation of harmful intermetallic compounds which may otherwise occur between the substrate and the pure aluminum layer. The sheets or slabs of dissimilar metals are then roll bonded by hot rolling with the aluminum layer forming an excellent diffusion bond therebetween. Difficult to bond metals such as copper, brass, carbon steel, titanium, certain aluminum alloys and zinc may be roll or press bonded in this way. The resultant articles made by the methods find particular utility in cookware products, such as pots, pans, griddles, grills and bakeware and also as electrical contacts for bus bars, to mention a few.