I don't see any inherent benefit of e-beam over SLM? Since you need a high vacuum for the e-beam and also need a very high-temp heat bed to consolidate the powder to create a conductive path for the e-beam; but it seems it's so widely used for titanium alloys even though titanium can be printed via SLM very well.
Is it just because the process parameter development has been around for much longer?
Compared to powder-based sintering by laser, electron beam melting results in high-temperature across the layers, which does not allow residual stress in the final fabricated part.
Another reason for the diffusion of the technology is the high build rate of the EBM maccine, which allows to realize parts at lower costs, moreover the high superficial riugosity, due to the process (mainly due to the less focused beam of the laser and higher granulometry of the powder), is excellent for the osseointegration and makes the parts made in EBM perfect for the production of prosthesis.
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