I have always used gas to protect welds and I had the opportunity to use this wire. I expected it to be the same as any other filler wire I've used in the past, not worth a damn. I started welding with it and adjusted accordingly and to my surprise it worked damn well without gas, what a money and time saver to bring extra gas to a welding shop. If you do artistic work I would choose gas wire, but for household and factory welding it will surprise you. Try it, I don't think you will regret it.