QUARTERLY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Union Carbide Corporation[Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	$ (1)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Union Carbide Corporation[Member] | Out of Period Adjustment - 1Q12 [Member]
Reclassification adjustment if recorded	(31)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Union Carbide Corporation[Member] | Out of Period Adjustment - 2Q12 [Member]
Reclassification adjustment if recorded	22
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Union Carbide Corporation[Member] | Out of Period Adjustment - 3Q12 [Member]
Reclassification adjustment if recorded	(5)
Total Net Sales [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	(2)
Total Net Sales [Member] | Out of Period Adjustment - 1Q12 [Member]
Reclassification adjustment if recorded	(47)
Total Net Sales [Member] | Out of Period Adjustment - 2Q12 [Member]
Reclassification adjustment if recorded	34
Total Net Sales [Member] | Out of Period Adjustment - 3Q12 [Member]
Reclassification adjustment if recorded	(7)
Total Net Sales [Member] | Sales related to prior years [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	43
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	(2)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes [Member] | Out of Period Adjustment - 1Q12 [Member]
Reclassification adjustment if recorded	(47)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes [Member] | Out of Period Adjustment - 2Q12 [Member]
Reclassification adjustment if recorded	34
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes [Member] | Out of Period Adjustment - 3Q12 [Member]
Reclassification adjustment if recorded	$ (7)