Structures Fabricated Using Foam Elements

A structure 10 and method of manufacture of an open cell foam element 12 of metallic, refractory, ceramic and/or diamond form, the metallic, refractory, ceramic and/or diamond material provided as a coating, the element 12 defining a plurality of interconnected cells 14, and a material 16 located within the cells 14, the material 16 having been treated, in situ, by sintering and/or infiltration, to form a continuous mesh or lattice structure 18 extending within and through the cells 14 of the open cell foam element 12. A related method of manufacture is also described. In some embodiments, the metallic, refractory, ceramic and/or diamond material may be provided as a coating, which may be applied by CVD technique, the structure may form part of a downhole tool, a drill bit, a part of a bit body or a part of a cutting element of a drill bit. The foam element may be of 3D printed construction.