Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide filters with a graduated structure, which are simple to produce and exhibit excellent properties in terms of their permeability to liquids and/or gases. To achieve this, the filters are produced from sinterable material consisting of at least two layers of differing pore size, a first layer having a minimum pore size of 0.005 &mgr;m and consisting of metal oxide or mixtures of metal oxide and the additional layer that is connected to the first layer consisting of a material other than metal oxide. The invention also relates to a method for producing the inventive filters and to the use thereof.