Abstract The paper describes the joining of composites made of different types of wood-based materials and aluminium. The wood materials were conditioned in a climate chamber or in a chamber furnace to set specific moisture contents. Afterwards, the conditioned wood materials were joined with aluminium (Al 99.5) by means of flat-clinching. After a relaxation period of 48 h under standard climatic conditions the joint strengths at different moisture contents were quantified by cross tension tests. Based on the well-founded experimental studies the understanding of the flat-clinching technology for this kind of material combination was improved.