Financial Information by Segment - Schedule of Performance Segment (Detail) (Performance Materials [Member], Operating Segments [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 217	$ 196
Specialty Carbons and Compounds [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	148	132
Fumed Metal Oxides [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 69	$ 64

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

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