Durable, non toxic if pure aluminium and appropriate maintenance, good conductivity and so the sides of pots and pans also heat up, lighter, easier to manage and more resistant to salts than stainless steel, but less resistant to acids such as from fruit, above 640°C aluminium begins to melt, often used for sandwich and multi-layer cookware bases, non magnetic.
Not dishwasher safe, requires manual cleaning with mild washing up liquid and nylon scourer. Particularly with frying pans a dark oxide coating forms which does not need to be removed as it protects the surface, do not clean with anything containing sodium oxide or caustic soda.