Method of manufacturing a magnetically graded material

A method of manufacturing a magnetically graded material, the method comprising:

• in an additive layer manufacture process:
• depositing a powder or wire material to a substrate;
• and
• applying a directed energy source comprising one of a laser and an electron beam to first and second regions of the powder or wire material to thereby join the first and second regions to form a joined material;
• wherein
• the energy source is directed to the first region while the first region is provided with a shield gas comprising an inert shield gas such that the material of the first region comprises a magnetic phase,
• the shield gas is changed to comprise a nitrogen containing shield gas when the energy source is directed to the second region such that the second region is provided with the nitrogen containing shield gas to thereby impart an non-magnetic phase to the second region, and the inert shield gas is substantially free of nitrogen.