Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction in which water participates in breaking bonds within a substance. Depending on the material and conditions, this can change its molecular structure and properties. It is distinct from water merely soaking into a material or moving through it.
In materials engineering, hydrolysis can affect some polymers over time, potentially reducing strength or changing performance; it does not happen equally in all plastics or in every water exposure. Identifying the polymer, temperature, acidity, and duration helps determine whether the process matters. In cyber security, the term is not an attack technique, but it illustrates a useful principle: do not assume a component is unchanged or safe just because it appears stable. Verify behavior under the conditions in which it will be used.