ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended						6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans and Other Post Retirement Adjustment [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans and Other Post Retirement Adjustment [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Union Carbide Corporation's stockholder's equity			$ 4,433		$ (1,113)	$ (1,132)	$ (995)	$ (1,026)	$ (52)	$ (55)	$ (1,080)	$ (971)
Translation Adjustments	1	2	(1)	2					(1)	2
Adjustments to pension and other postretirement benefit plans	11	14	20	29							20	29
Union Carbide Corporation's stockholder's equity	$ 3,910		$ 3,910		$ (1,113)	$ (1,132)	$ (995)	$ (1,026)	$ (53)	$ (53)	$ (1,060)	$ (942)