Aluminum has many advantages. The first advantage is that it is light weight or has a low specific gravity. Steel weighs 0.28 pounds per cubic inch. Aluminum weighs one third of steel. If you take the weight of steel and divide by three, you will have the approximate weight of aluminum.
Pure copper is very ductile, which means it has a high elongation. Pure copper can be annealed at 12,000 to 15,000 PSI yield strength, and when reduced or cold worked substantially, can go to 45,000 PSI yield strength.
Gold and silver are rolled on a rolling mill. All coins made from copper zinc coils are made on a rolling mill. In fact, almost any metal can be rolled on a rolling mill. This includes lithium for batteries and uranium for atomic energy.
There are many stainless alloys. The most common is 300 series. The most important purpose is to have a metal that will not rust or corrode. Many stainless steels can be surface polished or brushed to make a product that will last indefinitely around mixtures of water.
