Patent ID: 8021456

Claim:
A filter element comprising: a filtration media formed into a tubular configuration and comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pleats; a mounting structure at a first axial end of said filter element; an end cap at a second axial end of said filter element, said filtration media extending between said mounting structure and said end cap; and at least one melt-extruded retention strap extending circumferentially around said filtration media to limit radial movement of said filtration media at operating temperatures up to about 500° F., said at least one melt-extruded retention strap comprising a melt extrudable amorphous thermoplastic polyimide, and said at least one melt-extruded retention strap positioned between said first axial end of said filter element and said second axial end of said filter element; said amorphous thermoplastic polyimide comprising a copolymer of, or a blend of, an amorphous thermoplastic polyimide polymer and another polymer selected from the group consisting of polyetherimide polymers and polyetherertherketone polymers.