There are a lot of question so I will settle on the one in the title.
How many years will an current aluminum frame last of a touring bike?
Depends:
- Don't know what aluminum frame
Construction is a larger factor than material - Don't know the use
Use is a larger factor than material - Don't know how you are going to care for the bike
Care/maintenance is larger factor than material
Aluminum has not changed in the 10 years
All we know is your last aluminum, high quality, strong frame bike lasted about 10 years
The best guess is your next aluminum, high quality, strong frame will also last 10 years
Really that is the best guess
That is as vague as how long will a current pair of sneakers last me?
And the best guess for how long my next pair of sneakers will last is how long did my last pair last.
Aluminum fatigues and steel does not fatigue. As stated in a comment steel does fatigue - well not always. Mild steel will not normally admit fatigue crack growth if the applied stresses are below about 10% of the strength of the material. Materials, such as aluminium alloys, do not have any such fatigue limit. If a cyclic load is applied, aluminium alloys will always fatigue. For the same strength a steel bike is typically going to be heavier than aluminum. But you get a bike that is much much less susceptible to fatigue. With steel you also get a bike that will take a ding (dent) and not compromise structural strength to the extent of aluminum. Not exactly the same thing but at the molecular level they are related. Frame Materials
Found a quoted number. Just because it was on the Internet does not make it right but here is a 5-10 year quote.
Aluminum Vs. Carbon BikesBike Frame: Aluminum Vs. Steel
Aluminum frames possess the shortest fatigue life of any material used to manufacture bicycle frames. The typical aluminum frame possesses a life expectancy of five to 10 years. Conversely, carbon possesses the longestThe fatigue life. Most manufacturers provide a lifetime warranty of steel is much on carbon frameslonger, but the material requires more maintenance. Some manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty onTo prevent rust their aluminumformation steel frames, but most offer five to 10 years must be cleaned and polished regularly and periodically coated with rust stop on the interior of the frame.
If you are discounting steel because it will rust then you are not caring for the bike properly. A properly maintained and stored steel bike should not rust. And for sure it should not rust out in your life time. You stated bikes from you fathers era lasted 40-50 years - pretty sure they were steel bikes.
If you want fatigue free and rust free then get titanium.