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Which Additive-Manufacturing Processes Use an Electron Beam to Melt Metal Powder?

Which Additive-Manufacturing Processes Use an Electron Beam to Melt Metal Powder?

Verified Sources
Nov 4, 2026

To answer the multiple-choice question, focus on how the powder is fused:

  • Electron Beam Melting (EBM) uses an electron beam to melt metal powder.
  • Laser Engineering Net Shaping (LENS) uses a laser (not an electron beam) to melt metal powder.
  • Binder Jetting typically uses a binder to bind powder (not electron-beam melting).
  • Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) deposits thermoplastic by extrusion (not metal powder melting with an electron beam).

Therefore, among the options, the process that uses an electron beam for melting metal powder is (ii) Electron Beam Melting (EBM).

A simple comparison of fusion mechanisms is shown below:

type="tip" title="Decision rule for the exam question" content="If the process explicitly says electron beam + metal powder melting, the correct choice is EBM. If it says laser, it’s LENS (directed energy laser). If it says binder, it’s binder jetting (no full melting). If it says filament, it’s FDM (thermoplastics)."

Fusion mechanism mapping (which energy source melts/fuses?)

High-level indicator for why only EBM uses an electron beam to melt metal powder.

How key powder-based processes differ (conceptual lifecycle)

Start with powder

1. Powder bed preparation

A layer of powder is prepared for the build."

Fuse the layer

2. Energy/binding step

EBM: electron beam melts; LENS: laser melts; Binder jetting: binder binds (no full melt)."

Repeat

3. Layer repetition

Process repeats for subsequent layers until the part is complete."

Step-by-step way to select the correct option

  1. 1
    Step 1

    Look for the words electron beam, laser, or binder.

  2. 2
    Step 2

    For metal powder processes, “melts” strongly indicates directed-energy fusion; binder jetting typically does not claim full melting.

  3. 3
    Step 3

    If it’s electron beam + melting metal powder, select Electron Beam Melting (EBM).

  4. 4
    Step 4

    If it’s FDM, it’s typically polymer filament deposition, not metal powder melting.

Common confusion points

Quick check: process → fusion method

1 / 4
Question · Term

EBM uses what to fuse metal powder?

Click to reveal
Answer · Definition

An electron beam melts metal powder layer by layer.

Knowledge Check

Question 1 of 3
Q1Single choice

Which process uses an electron beam for melting metal powder?

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