In the presence of moisture, the hydrolysable alkoxy group
leads to the formation of silanols. The silanol then reacts with the hydroxyl group of the fiber, forming stable covalent bonds to the cell wall that are chemisorbed onto
the fiber surface. Therefore, the hydrocarbon chains,
provided by the application of silane, restrain the swelling
of the fibers by creating an entangled network due to the
diffusion of hydrocarbon chains into the matrix