Abstract: Improved process for the annealing of drawn carbon steel rolls and coils of rolled carbon steel sheet. This process is characterized in that in the stage of roll heating the heating is stopped before reaching the temperature at which the reaction between carbon and H2O in the vapour phase starts. The core of the steel roll is then allowed to heat up progressively until its temperature reaches that of the outer part of the roll. With progressive removal of moisture from the core of the steel roll, heating is applied progressively until a minimum moisture level guaranteeing a sufficiently low partial pressure to avoid the reaction between the carbon in the steel and water vapour is reached. Heating is then continued up to the desired annealing temperature.