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, 2011			$ 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	0	312	4,510	(1,101)
Total Equity at Sep. 30, 2012	3,723
Noncontrolling interests at Sep. 30, 2012							2
Union Carbide Corporation's stockholder's equity at Dec. 31, 2012	3,322		0	312	4,355	(1,345)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	296				296
Dividends declared					(289)
Other					0
Other comprehensive income	23					23
Union Carbide Corporation's stockholder's equity at Sep. 30, 2013	3,352	3,352	0	312	4,362	(1,322)
Total Equity at Sep. 30, 2013	3,354
Noncontrolling interests at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 2						$ 2