The origin and development of air-cooled Mn-series bainite steels are introduced. The invented idea, strengthening-toughening mechanism, mechanical performances, development and application of this kind of steel including granular bainitic steels, FGBA / BG duplex steels, CFB/M duplex steels, medium carbon bainite/martensite steels, cast bainitic steels are presented. The invented idea mechanical performances, development and application of second generation of Mn-series bainitic steels, i.e. water-quenched Mn-series bainitic steels invented by the authors newly are introduced. The water quenched Mn-series bainitic steels can meet the performance requirements of most steels used in engineering structure, reduce the amount of alloying content, increase harden capability and improve weldability. It should be pointed out that the application of both air-cold and water- quenched Mn-series bainitic steels are complementary and mutually reinforcing. Some newest technology of Mn-series bainitic steels in China are discussed in this paper. It is suggested that the significance of the development of the Mn-series bainitic steels can be summarized as: significantly reducing costs of both raw materials and production; good combination of strength and toughness; excellent weldability; simple procedure; large savings in energy resources and environmental pollution is reduced.
