ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended							9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans and Other Post Retirement Adjustment [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans and Other Post Retirement Adjustment [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans and Other Post Retirement Adjustment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans and Other Post Retirement Adjustment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Impact to Sundry income (expense) [Domain]	Sep. 30, 2012 Impact to Sundry income (expense) [Domain]
Translation Adjustments	$ (22)	$ 2	$ (22)	$ 1						$ (1)	$ 1
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax																				(21)	0
Adjustments to pension and other postretirement benefit plans	16	10	45	30										45	[1],[2]	30	[1],[2]
Adjustments to pension and other postretirement benefit plans, tax														26	[2]	18	[2]
Union Carbide Corporation's stockholder's equity	$ 3,352		$ 3,352		$ 3,322	$ (1,322)	$ (1,345)	$ (1,101)	$ (1,132)	$ (78)	$ (51)	$ (56)	$ (52)	$ (1,244)		$ (1,050)		$ (1,289)	$ (1,080)

[1] Included in "Net periodic benefit cost." See Note 9 for additional information.

[2] Tax amounts are included in "Provision for income taxes" in the consolidated statements of income.