Abstract: A membrane filter which comprises a porous, self-supporting, end axially-compressible filter tube, and a microporous membrane sheet bonded to the external surface of the filter tube, the membrane sheet overlapping the one and other ends of the filter tube and extending across the full edge width at the ends to provide a membrane filter to seal into a housing by axial compression without the need for gaskets, end caps or adhesives. A method of preparing a membrane filter tube, which method comprises securing a microporous membrane to the external surface of a self-supporting, axially compressible filter tube and overlapping and securing the ends of the membrane across the ends of the full edge width of the filter tube.