| Alpaca | Acrylic | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical diameter | 18–32 µm | 12–25 µm |
| Source | Alpaca | Synthetic (petroleum) |
| Lanolin | No | No |
| Warmth | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Softness | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Luster | ★★★ | ★★ |
| Elasticity | ★★★ | ★★ |
| Price | $$ | $ |
Bottom line
Warm for its weight, lanolin-free, silky hand; less elastic than wool.
Cheap and washable, but pills, holds odor, sheds microplastics and doesn't regulate moisture.
Choose alpaca for warm, drapey, lanolin-free garments; choose acrylic if you value its particular character. Blends often give the best of both.
Acrylic fibers are synthetic fibers made from a polymer (polyacrylonitrile) with an average molecular weight of ~100,000, about 1900 monomer units. For a fiber to be called "acrylic" in the US, the polymer must contain at least 85% acrylonitrile monomer. Typical comonomers are vinyl acetate or methyl acrylate. DuPont created the first acrylic fibers in 1941 and trademarked them under the name Orlon. It was first developed in the mid-1940s but was not produced in large quantities until the 1950s. Strong and warm, acrylic fiber is often used for sweaters and tracksuits and as linings for boots and gloves, as well as in furnishing fabrics and carpets. It is manufactured as a filament, then cut into short staple lengths similar to wool hairs, and spun into yarn.From Wikipedia — “Acrylic fiber”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
FAQ
Is alpaca better than acrylic?
Alpaca is warmer, softer, more durable, more lustrous and more elastic. Warm for its weight, lanolin-free, silky hand; less elastic than wool. Cheap and washable, but pills, holds odor, sheds microplastics and doesn't regulate moisture.
Is alpaca warmer than acrylic?
Yes, alpaca is generally warmer for its weight.
Is alpaca softer than acrylic?
It depends on the grade: fine alpaca (18–22 µm) is very soft, while acrylic typically measures 12–25 µm.