Patent ID: 7399333

Claim:
A filter element for separating solid particles from a fluid containing the solid particles, which comprises an open-cell porous molded body as a filter element base and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fine powders, wherein the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fine powders have an average molecular weight of 3,000,000 to 11,000,000 and a bulk specific gravity of 0.15 to 0.29; wherein the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fine powders form an aggregate of primary particles, wherein the aggregates are in the shape of a bunch of grapes or a cauliflower, and wherein the aggregates have voids of 1 to 5 μm in a part where the primary particles are connected; and wherein the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fine powders are filled in or coated into pores on the surface of the open-cell porous molded body; wherein the open-cell porous molded body is prepared by heating and sintering synthetic resin powders, a non-woven fabric or a felt.