Abstract: A screen cylinder is made up of a plurality of identical ceramic elements in arcuate form having screen openings, and opposite longitudinally extending edges carrying a tongue and groove, respectively. The elements are joined one to the other along their edges by inserting the tongues into the grooves to form a complete cylinder. Different diameter and lengths of screen cylinders may be formed by varying the number of elements in each closed arrangement of elements, and the closed arrangements may be disposed end-to-end with an intermediate connecting ring between them. End rings are provided to maintain the elements in a generally cylindrical configuration. Cinch rods connected between the end rings and under tension subject the elements in assembly to axial compression.