Micro-scale single crystal Bauschinger effect and reversible plasticity in copper during bending The study examined the micro-scale Bauschinger effect and reversible plasticity in copper single crystals during bending experiments. Bending and straightening experiments were performed on a copper cantilever beam at the micro-scale. Results showed 70-80% reductions in yield strength upon load reversal, indicating a strong Bauschinger effect. Microstructure analysis also revealed reductions in bending-induced misorientation gradients upon load reversal, demonstrating microstructural reversibility. The findings provide evidence that internal backstresses and reduced dislocation storage contribute to size-dependent reversible plasticity at the micro-scale.