Abstract: A heat treatment process in a roll type furnace for metal articles, in which the articles are heated in stages up to 800.degree.-850.degree. C. in several pre-heating zones with atmospheres containing free oxygen; the articles are heated in a high temperature zone in a reducing atmosphere containing no free oxygen and run through this zone relatively quickly; the burners of the high temperature zone are timed with high and low power periods, depending on the quantity of articles supplied and the amount of heat to be transmitted; rolls of the furnace are set in the high temperature zone at a short distance from each other; and baffle plates between the zones are set at the smallest possible distance from the rolling track or the articles on the rolling track. The burners are located above and below the rolling track.