The present PhD work deals with the production of metal-matrix-composites with the aim to reduce the density with an unchanging or even higher stiffness compared to steel. The literature survey consists of four main parts: 1) An overview on technologies for the production of composites with focus on metal-matrix-composites (MMC), 2) the selection of particles and the definition of promising boundary conditions for the realization of laboratory experiments, 3) the properties of liquid/solid-systems with regard to thixoforming and thixocasting and finally the 4) wetting behaviour in iron/ceramic systems and related influencing parameters. The chosen experimental concept bases on a powder-metallurgical approach. MMC powder mixtures with different volume content in ceramic particles are charged into a Tammann-furnace and heated above liquidus temperature of the matrix material (steel). The evaluation of the homogeneity of the sample is done by automated microscopical measurement of the particle size and particle distribution in the matrix. It turns out that even oxides seem to be promising to form sufficiently fine dispersed composites as long as the wetting of the particles by the liquid steel is increased through alloying elements. The decrease of the wetting angle due to alloying elements reduces the tendency towards the undesired agglomeration of the particles significantly and improves the fine dispersion of the particles. Above the liquidus temperature of the matrix steel the composite shows clearly a thixotropic characteristic which is why also some simplified thixoforming tests were performed in the laboratory scale. Finally and based on the results of the experimental investigations and theoretical considerations the work gives an outlook on most promising ways for the future production of metal-matrix-composites at the industrial scale.