Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a cationically polymerizable first epoxide and a second epoxide. The first epoxide is a glycidyl epoxide and the second epoxide further comprises a glycidyl epoxide and/or a non-glycidyl epoxide. The disclosed composition further comprises an initiator and a filler, where the composition upon external stimulus undergoes an ionic polymerization reaction in a spatially propagating reaction front or in a global reaction that occurs throughout an entire composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foam composition comprising a first epoxide comprising a first glycidyl epoxide and/or a first non-glycidyl epoxide; a second epoxide comprising a second glycidyl epoxide and/or a second non-glycidyl epoxide; wherein the first glycidyl epoxide is different from the second glycidyl epoxide and wherein the first non-glycidyl epoxide is different from the second non-glycidyl epoxide; wherein the first and the second epoxide are cationically polymerizable; an initiator; and a diluent; wherein the diluent is present in about 0.1 to 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition; wherein the composition upon external stimulus undergoes an ionic polymerization reaction in a spatially propagating reaction front or in a global reaction that occurs throughout an entire composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a first low molecular weight molecule that is radically polymerizable; a second low molecular weight molecule that is ionically polymerizable; and an initiator package that comprises a free radical initiator, an ionic accelerator and an ionic initiator; where the first low molecular weight molecule undergoes a radical polymerization reaction when subjected to a first form of activation stimuli and where the second low molecular weight molecule undergoes an ionic polymerization reaction in a spatially propagating reaction front or in a global reaction that occurs throughout the entire composition; where the ionic polymerization is initiated by a second form of activation stimuli.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an impact modified composition comprising a first polymer; and a second polymer that is dispersed in the first polymer; where the first polymer and the second polymer are melt polymerized in each other's presence, are phase separated from each other after polymerization; are not reactively bonded with each other; and where a precursor to the first polymer and to the second polymer are soluble in one another prior to polymerization. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising melt polymerizing a first monomer and a second monomer in the presence of each other to form a first polymer and a second polymer; where the first monomer and the second monomer are soluble in each other; where first polymer and the second polymer are phase separated from each other with the second polymer being dispersed in the first polymer; where the first polymer and the second polymer are not reactively bonded to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polymeric composition comprising a polymeric composition comprising a first crosslinked network; and a second crosslinked network; wherein the first crosslinked network is crosslinked at a first stress and/or a first strain and the second crosslinked network is crosslinked at a second stress and/or a second strain; where the first stress and/or the first strain is different from the second stress and/or the second strain either in magnitude or direction. Disclosed herein is a method comprising subjecting a polymeric mass to a first stress and/or a first strain level; crosslinking the polymeric mass to form a first crosslinked network; subjecting the polymeric mass to a second stress and/or a second strain level; and crosslinking the polymeric mass to form a second crosslinked network; where the first stress and/or the first strain level is different from the second stress and/or the second strain level.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polymeric composition comprising a polymeric composition comprising a first crosslinked network; and a second crosslinked network; wherein the first crosslinked network is crosslinked at a first stress and/or a first strain and the second crosslinked network is crosslinked at a second stress and/or a second strain; where the first stress and/or the first strain is different from the second stress and/or the second strain either in magnitude or direction. Disclosed herein is a method comprising subjecting a polymeric mass to a first stress and/or a first strain level; crosslinking the polymeric mass to form a first crosslinked network; subjecting the polymeric mass to a second stress and/or a second strain level; and crosslinking the polymeric mass to form a second crosslinked network; where the first stress and/or the first strain level is different from the second stress and/or the second strain level.