Micro-particle impact is a problem of solid mechanics that is common in many applications. To address this problem, a new soft-particle DEM model of micro-particle impact is proposed, which incorporates adhesive, elastoplastic and microslip behaviors. The normal force model is developed as two contiguous loading stages: the elastic stage and the elastoplastic stage in which the transition is from the elastic deformation to fully plastic deformation. Most innovative in unloading, the normal force model is also evolved into two contiguous stages: unloading under elastic loading and unloading under elastoplastic loading in which it combines Hertz elastic model and Mesarovic-Johnson plastic model. The normal force model is further assumed as the one-way coupling with pressure-based Maw tangential model with the micro-slip behavior. Further model validations are performed by employing the experimental results in literatures. The validation results indicate that model predictions agree with the experimental data, and are demonstrated to be incredibly accurate than other models, particularly for restitution coefficients and critical sticking velocity. Furthermore we can find that the smaller size particle has a longer period of nonlinear loading, while the larger size particle has a longer period of linear loading. For tangential restitution coefficient at the small incident angle, a down trend may be due to the oscillation of the tangential force. (C) 2020 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.