Straightening a flexible curve?

[Aram]

I have a long and a short flexible curve from Lee Valley. I haven't used them in a long time, and the long one Likes to stay in a C shape. I can't coax it into any other shape. It has perfect memory.

Anything I can do? The short one works the way you expect, more or less stays where you bend it (within reason). I emailed LV customer service, but no reply yet.

Thanks in advance.

[iclark]

Use some bench dogs to hold it in a serpentine for a while?

Sounds like it was left in the C-shape for a long time and needs some time in a different shape to lose that memory.

Alternatively, hang it with a clothespin from one end and see if it slowly straightens out.

[AHill]

It may not be the metal that's making it stay curved. It may be the plastic coating. Try soaking the curve in hot water, then stretch it out straight. You may need to clamp it between two straight edges. Leave it clamped overnight. Might need to be repeated to totally restore the flexibility.

[Cooler]

Most plastics become more plastic (flexible) if warmed up. 

You don't want to go much over 200 degrees F. but a day in direct sunlight might be all that is needed.  Or put it in a carton and turn on a hair dryer aimed in the carton.  It has to be thoroughly warmed (to the core) but without a very high temperature.

Note:  Most thermoplastics will melt around 300 - 350 degrees F.  So you don't want to get that hot.