The phase-separation behavior of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/diluent blends was monitored with a torque variation method (TVM). The torque variation of the molten blends was recorded with a rheometer. It was verified that TVM is an efficient way to detect the thermal phase behavior of a polymer-diluent system. Subsequently, polyethylene hollow-fiber membranes were fabricated from HDPE/dodecanol/soybean oil blends via thermally induced phase separation. Hollow-fiber membranes with a dense outer surface of spherulites were observed. Furthermore, the effects of the spinning temperature, air-gap distance, cold drawing, and HDPE content on the morphology and gas permeability of the resultant membranes were examined. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 2186-2194, 2010