A master's thesis at the University of Basra discusses the study of improving the corrosion resistance of high-strength, low-alloy steel using zinc coating reinforced with boron nitride nanoparticles.

The thesis submitted by a graduate student at the University of Basra, College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, addressed Durgham Ali Mohsen Use of boron nitride nanoparticles in different proportions as an enhancing additive for zinc electroplating, hot dip zinc plating and zinc rich plating. The aim of the research is to study the improvement of mechanical properties and monitor the corrosion behavior in a 3.5% sodium chloride solution and rainwater in the spring and winter seasons. The addition of boron nitride nanoparticles showed promising results and significantly improved the mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and corrosion rates such as hardness, coating thickness, adhesion strength, and adhesive pull compared to zinc coatings and zinc compounds without additives. The microstructural results also showed a homogeneous distribution of boron nitride nanoparticles on the surface of the coated samples without affecting the grain size due to their high ability to act as a nucleus that can fill micron-sized gaps and cracks on the surface of the sample.