Abstract: A continuous furnace for the heat-treatment of workpieces comprising an endless chain-like conveyer belt (18) consisting of a ceramic material and having a plurality of links (34, 34', 34", 34'"; 36, 36',36', 36""; 38, 38', 38") which are arranged one beside the other and one behind the other and which are interconnected by rods extending transversely to the feeding direction (19). The arrangement provides that a plurality of separate rods (40, 44, 48) are provided one behind the other, viewed over the full width of the conveyor belt (18), and that gaps (42, 46, 50 to 55) remaining between the separate rods are offset laterally, viewed in the feeding direction (19).