A sliding element, in particular piston ring, has on at least one running surface, from the inside outwards, a coating having a metal-containing adhesive layer and a hydrogen-free amorphous carbon layer with a thickness of at least 10 μm.In a process for the production of a sliding element, in particular a piston ring, coating with a metal-containing adhesive layer and a hydrogen-free amorphous carbon layer in a thickness of at least 10 μm is carried out.