Other Intangibles - Net (Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Gross Carrying Value	$ 404,722	$ 393,116
Accumulated Amortization	(135,825)	(100,967)
Net Carrying Amount	268,897	292,149
Amortization expense	34,993	35,114	26,120
Customer Relationships [Member] | Aerospace [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	205,171	205,181
Accumulated Amortization	(41,652)	(24,898)
Net Carrying Amount	163,519	180,283
Intellectual Property [Member] | Aerospace [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	0	0
Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Net Carrying Amount	0	0
Process Technology [Member] | Aerospace [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	71,691	71,696
Accumulated Amortization	(15,380)	(10,386)
Net Carrying Amount	56,311	61,310
Other Intangibles [Member] | Aerospace [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	39,635	39,638
Accumulated Amortization	(34,655)	(27,595)
Net Carrying Amount	4,980	12,043
Aerospace [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	316,497	316,515
Accumulated Amortization	(91,687)	(62,879)
Net Carrying Amount	224,810	253,636
Customer Relationships [Member] | Energy [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	41,991	38,611
Accumulated Amortization	(23,696)	(20,908)
Net Carrying Amount	18,295	17,703
Intellectual Property [Member] | Energy [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	20,162	20,215
Accumulated Amortization	(11,918)	(10,555)
Net Carrying Amount	8,244	9,660
Process Technology [Member] | Energy [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	23,451	15,805
Accumulated Amortization	(7,657)	(6,107)
Net Carrying Amount	15,794	9,698
Other Intangibles [Member] | Energy [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	2,621	1,970
Accumulated Amortization	(867)	(518)
Net Carrying Amount	1,754	1,452
Energy [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	88,225	76,601
Accumulated Amortization	(44,138)	(38,088)
Net Carrying Amount	44,087	38,513
Customer Relationships [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	247,162	243,792
Accumulated Amortization	(65,348)	(45,806)
Net Carrying Amount	181,814	197,986
Intellectual Property [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	20,162	20,215
Accumulated Amortization	(11,918)	(10,555)
Net Carrying Amount	8,244	9,660
Process Technology [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	95,142	87,501
Accumulated Amortization	(23,037)	(16,493)
Net Carrying Amount	72,105	71,008
Other Intangibles [Member]
Gross Carrying Value	42,256	41,608
Accumulated Amortization	(35,522)	(28,113)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 6,734	$ 13,495