Process for producing an integrally asymmetrical hydrophobic polyolefinic
membrane with a sponge-like, open-pored, microporous support structure
and a separation layer with a denser structure, using a thermally induced
liquid-liquid phase separation process. A solution of at least one
polyolefin is extruded to form a shaped object. The solvent used is one
for which the demixing temperature of a solution of 25% by weight of the
polyolefin in this solvent is 10 to 70.degree. C. above the
solidification temperature. After leaving the die, the shaped object is
cooled using a liquid cooling medium that does not dissolve the polymer
up to the die temperature, until the phase separation and solidification
of the high-polymer-content phase take place. The integrally asymmetrical
membrane producible in this manner has a porosity of greater than 30% to
75% by volume, a sponge-like, open-pored, microporous support layer
without macrovoids and with on average isotropic pores, and on at least
one of its surfaces a separation layer with pores <100 nm, if any. The
membrane is preferably used for gas separation or gas transfer processes,
in particular for oxygenation of blood.