An organic/inorganic composite separator includes (a) a polyolefin porous
substrate having pores; and (b) a porous active layer containing a
mixture of inorganic particles and a binder polymer, with which at least
one surface of the polyolefin porous substrate is coated, wherein the
porous active layer has a peeling force of 5 gf/cm or above, and a
thermal shrinkage of the separator after being left alone at 150.degree.
C. for 1 hour is 50% or below in a machine direction (MD) or in a
transverse direction (TD). This organic/inorganic composite separator
solves the problem that inorganic particles in the porous active layer
formed on the porous substrate are extracted during an assembly process
of an electrochemical device, and also it may prevent an electric short
circuit between cathode and anode even when the electrochemical device is
overheated.