Piston ring and thermal spray coating used therein, and method for manufacturing thereof

The piston ring of the present invention comprises a thermal spray coating comprising chromium carbide particles having an average particle size of 5 μm or less, and a matrix metal composed of a Ni-Cr alloy or a Ni-Cr alloy and Ni at least on an outer peripheral surface, said thermal spray coating having an average pore diameter of 10 μm or less and a porosity of 8% or less by volume. A piston ring having excellent wear resistance, scuffing resistance and peeling resistance with little attackability on a mating member is obtained by forming a homogeneous thermal spray coating having a fine microstructure.