Financial Information By Segment (Financial Information By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011		Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	$ 844	[1]	$ 739	[1]	$ 1,606	[1]	$ 1,433	[1]
Income (loss) before taxes	76	[2]	48	[2]	131	[2]	94	[2]
Core Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	534	[1]	458	[1]	1,023	[1]	896	[1]
Income (loss) before taxes	72	[2]	51	[2]	127	[2]	88	[2]
Performance Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	235	[1]	222	[1]	440	[1]	412	[1]
Income (loss) before taxes	35	[2]	39	[2]	56	[2]	70	[2]
New Business Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	30	[1]	32	[1]	55	[1]	56	[1]
Income (loss) before taxes			4	[2]			4	[2]
Specialty Fluids Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	27	[1]	13	[1]	41	[1]	30	[1]
Income (loss) before taxes	16	[2]	1	[2]	21	[2]	7	[2]
Segment Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	826	[1]	725	[1]	1,559	[1]	1,394	[1]
Income (loss) before taxes	123	[2]	95	[2]	204	[2]	169	[2]
Unallocated And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	18	[1]	14	[1]	47	[1]	39	[1]
Income (loss) before taxes	$ (47)	[2]	$ (47)	[2]	$ (73)	[2]	$ (75)	[2]

[1] Unallocated and Other reflects royalties paid by equity affiliates, external shipping and handling fees, and other operating revenues, which includes the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue.

[2] Unallocated and Other includes certain items and eliminations that are not allocated to the operating segments. Management does not consider these items necessary for an understanding of the operating results of these segments and such amounts are excluded in the segment reporting to the Chief Operating Decision Maker. Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes that are categorized as Unallocated and Other includes: