mkr5000 wrote:
I'm determined to do something unique for a countertop and don't want
to spend the money on stainless steel and I want something sort of
"industrial" looking.

Maybe I'm wrong but it seems to me that 1/4" thick (or thicker) sheet
aluminum has some possibilities for a countertop.

It might work for you.

If you have any cookware with aluminum bottoms
and you slide it across the aluminum countertop
expect an ugly mess.

AL against AL is never good.