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 (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	255				255
Dividends declared					(675)
Other					0
Other comprehensive income	47					47
Union Carbide Corporation's stockholder's equity at Sep. 30, 2011		4,903	0	312	5,570	(979)
Total Equity at Sep. 30, 2011	4,905
Noncontrolling interests at Sep. 30, 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	33				33
Dividends declared					(775)
Other					(1)
Other comprehensive income	31					31
Union Carbide Corporation's stockholder's equity at Sep. 30, 2012	3,721	3,721	0	312	4,510	(1,101)
Total Equity at Sep. 30, 2012	3,723
Noncontrolling interests at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 2						$ 2