Experimental characterization and crystal plasticity modeling for predicting load reversals in AA6016-T4 and AA7021-T79

•Tensile, compressive, and strain path reversal response of AA6016-T4 and AA7021-T79 are characterized.•A polycrystal plasticity model is used to predict and interpret monotonic and strain path reversal deformation of the alloys.•Inter-granular stress and slip system backstress fields govern the non-linear unloading and Bauschinger effect.•Annihilation of dissolutions governs change in the hardening rates during reverse loading from those during forward loading.•Nonlinear unloading, Bauschinger effect, and anisotropic hardening are predicted for both alloys using a single set of model parameters per alloy.