Eric,
I like your sense of humor! Maybe I should stick my head in the oven! I called BVM today and they use spring steel for their struts. They are not too expensive so I might give them a try. I am still considering buying the titanium strut too.

The struts are bending in the same spot every time. The bend is between the loop and the retact mechanism.

I have some of my bent struts in my box , I will straighten them and try the temper process you describe with the used and some new struts. It is worth a try.

Mitch