Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total	Union Carbide Corporation's Stockholder's Equity [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Union Carbide Corporation's Stockholder's equity at Dec. 31, 2010			$ 0	$ 312	$ 5,990	$ (1,026)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	106				106
Dividends declared					(175)
Other					0
Other comprehensive income	15					15
Total Equity at Mar. 31, 2011	5,224
Noncontrolling interests at Mar. 31, 2011							2
Union Carbide Corporation's Stockholder's equity at Mar. 31, 2011		5,222	0	312	5,921	(1,011)
Total Equity at Dec. 31, 2011	4,435
Noncontrolling interests at Dec. 31, 2011	2
Union Carbide Corporation's Stockholder's equity at Dec. 31, 2011	4,433		0	312	5,253	(1,132)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	37				37
Dividends declared					(275)
Other					1
Other comprehensive income	7					7
Total Equity at Mar. 31, 2012	4,205
Noncontrolling interests at Mar. 31, 2012	2						2
Union Carbide Corporation's Stockholder's equity at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 4,203	$ 4,203	$ 0	$ 312	$ 5,016	$ (1,125)