Heat activated adhesive for filters that may contain multiple elements

A method of manufacturing a filter element, comprising:

• arranging at least one filter media element segment in contact with at least one composite end cap, each composite end cap comprising an annular support of a first material having opposite sides and a second material along at least a first side of the opposite sides, the second material only partially covering the first side with at least one end of the at least one filter media element segment abutting the second material;
• heating the second material to soften the second material and embed the at least one filter media element segment into the second material.

A method of manufacturing a filter element, comprising:

• arranging at least one filter media element segment between at least two heat activated disks with the heat activated disks in spaced relation and with the at least one filter media element segment abutting the heat activated disks;
• simultaneously heating the at least two heat activated disks to concurrently embed the at least one filter media element segment into the at least two heat activated disks.