Coatings | Editor’s Choice Articles for the First Half of 2026 in the Sections “Metal Surface Process”, “Composite Coatings”, “Diamond and Related Coatings” and “Liquid–Fluid Coatings, Surfaces and Interfaces”

We are delighted to present a selection of Editor’s Choice Articles for the Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412) homepage covering the first half of 2026, selected from the Sections “Metal Surface Process”, “Composite Coatings”, “Diamond and Related Coatings”, and “Liquid–Fluid Coatings, Surfaces and Interfaces”. These papers highlight recent advances in surface engineering, advanced manufacturing, smart coatings, high-entropy alloys, thermal barrier systems, nanomaterials, and heritage conservation, covering topics such as micro-cutting effects on NiTi shape memory alloys, laser powder-bed fusion surface characteristics, droplet behavior on superhydrophobic meshes, eco-friendly ionic liquid coatings for stone conservation, CVD diamond growth mechanisms, AI-based surface quality prediction, multilayer coatings, smart superhydrophobic surfaces for anti-icing, high-entropy alloys, aluminide and metal diboride coatings, thermal barrier coating failure mechanisms, anodized aluminum outgassing, electroless Ni–Mo catalysts, and archaeometric studies of Chinese porcelain. We hope you will find inspiration in these outstanding contributions.

Section “Metal Surface Process”:
1. “Optimization of Process Parameters for Single-Pass High-Speed Laser Cladding of Fe-Cr-Ni-B Alloys and Study of Friction Property”
by Weiyuan Guo, Anjun Li, Yanyan Wang, Jiaze Huang and Zhiwen Xue
Coatings 2026, 16(5), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16050581
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/16/5/581

Section “Composite Coatings”:
2. “Development of a Synthetic Optical Coating for Efficient UV Light Conversion and Enhanced Transmittance”
by Daolong Xu, Daruo Cao, Zihan Shan and Liang Fang
Coatings 2026, 16(6), 692; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16060692
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/16/6/692

Section “Diamond and Related Coatings”:
3. “Application-Oriented Comparative Screening of SiO2, DLC, and Raydent-Labeled Commercial Coating for High-Precision LM Guide Rails”
by Seung Gyeong Jeon and Dae Yong Jeong
Coatings 2026, 16(7), 747; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16070747
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/16/7/747

Section “Liquid–Fluid Coatings, Surfaces and Interfaces”:
4. “Effect of Sr Addition in the Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Hot-Dip Al-Si Coatings for Hot-Press-Formed Steel”
by Dong-Wook Seo, So-Hui Park and Seung-Hyo Lee
Coatings 2026, 16(5), 621; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16050621
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/16/5/621

5. “Anti-Icing Performance of Base Formulations for Coatings for Aeronautical Applications”
by Filomena Piscitelli, Andrea Diana, Giovanni Bruno, Gianmarco Caldore, Veronica Ambrogi and Giovanni Filippone
Coatings 2026, 16(3), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16030298
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/16/3/298

6. “Nanoporous-Based Oleocoating as a New Scheme for Green and Low-Toxic Marine Antifouling”
by Ziqi Chen, Hao Jiang, Shixiang Rao, Shirong Du and Guoqing Wang
Coatings2026, 16(2), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16020190
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/16/2/190