The relation between the filtrate flux and particle concentration in batch crossflow microfiltration is investigated using a model based on classical filtration theory and the Kern-Seaton theory of surface fouling. The model, which includes the effects of cake compressibility but not of membrane fouling, is solved for both laminar and turbulent tangential flows. It is found that the sole effect of cake compressibility is to reduce the flux without altering the general shape of the flux versus concentration curve. Fluxes which increase with increasing concentration are shown to be a result of enhanced cake removal due to the increased wall shear stress brought about by increased suspension viscosity. A sigmoidal relation between flux and concentration is reproduced by the model only if there is a reduction in the cake removal rate as the tangential flow regime changes from turbulent to laminar.