Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Millions	Total	Union Carbide Corporation's Stockholder's Equity [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax [Member]	Accumulated Investment Gain [Member]	Cumulative Translation Adjustments [Member]	Pension and Other Postretirement Plans [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2009			$ 0	$ 312	$ 6,131		$ 1	$ (61)	$ (950)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	136				136
Dividends declared					(300)
Translation Adjustments	2							2
Adjustments to Pension and other Postretirement Benefit Plans	21								21
Other					(1)
Total Equity at Jun. 30, 2010	5,293
Noncontrolling interests at Jun. 30, 2010										2
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Jun. 30, 2010		5,291	0	312	5,966	(987)	1	(59)	(929)
Total Equity at Dec. 31, 2010	5,278
Noncontrolling interests at Dec. 31, 2010	2
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2010	5,276		0	312	5,990		0	(55)	(971)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	233				233
Dividends declared					(400)
Translation Adjustments	2							2
Adjustments to Pension and other Postretirement Benefit Plans	29								29
Other					0
Total Equity at Jun. 30, 2011	5,142
Noncontrolling interests at Jun. 30, 2011	2									2
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Jun. 30, 2011	$ 5,140	$ 5,140	$ 0	$ 312	$ 5,823	$ (995)	$ 0	$ (53)	$ (942)