The investigation relates to the influence of various fine-particle metals on the physicochemical conversions of foam plastics based on novolac or A stage phenol-formaldehyde resins or mixtures of these resins at temperatures of 1100-2450 C. The foams filled with fine-particle iron, copper, chromium or nickel form a solid residue in high temperature pyrolysis, consisting of graphite; specimens containing niobium, titanium and tungsten likewise form graphite, but this is only one of the phases of solid residue.