Does that mean the brass is properly annealed ? This has been an ongoing problem with K&S . I have spoken to them and my last shipment was as bad for breakage when bent at 90 degrees as before . I have had to re-anneal every piece I,ve used . I build very complicated and delicate 1/96- SPS 10 , 19 , 40 and 49 radars for my clients as well as making custom fit rail groups. When you bend it to go around a 90 degree corner and it breaks that is frustrating . There are 108 solder joints in three foot of 1/96 railing ! Because I use so much and the need is always for batches of 100 sticks at a time I created my own annealing oven . I should NOT hav had to do this . I will say , in K& S , s defense the wire is true to size from one end of a piece to the other . I have bought other brands of wire that didn,t mike out the same size in a three foot length or even a 24 inch length . So I still use K&S . I may try another , but , only when I need to . tankerbuilder