A filter element (10) is provided which can be used to remove microsize
contaminant particles (i.e., about 0.5 .mu.m to about 25.0 .mu.m) from
aviation fuel. The filter element (10) includes a cylindrical pleated
filter media (14) and an exoskeleton support structure (16) supporting
the filter media (14). The filter media (14) has a pleat density of about
eight to about thirteen pleats per inner diameter inch and is formed only
from cellulose-fiber-free and woven-mesh-free layers. The exoskeleton
support structure (16) is a screen which is thermally bonded to the
pleats' peaks in such a manner that the filter media (14) is sufficiently
supported without conventional endoskeleton support layers.