Financial Information by Segment (Schedule of New Business Segment) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 38	$ 39
Inkjet Colorants [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	16	15
Aerogel [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	5	4
Security Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1	2
Elastomer Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	8	4
Specialty Fluids [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 8	$ 14

Amount of revenue from external customers for the reportable segment. Such disclosure is presented if the amount is: (a) included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 131

-Paragraph 27

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Name:	us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomers
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration