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Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 75 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2015
Apr. 26, 2013
Employees
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2015
Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Restructuring charges $ 7us-gaap_RestructuringCharges $ 5us-gaap_RestructuringCharges              
Cash payments 7us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring                
Restructuring costs in accrued expenses 17us-gaap_RestructuringReserve   17us-gaap_RestructuringReserve 17us-gaap_RestructuringReserve     17us-gaap_RestructuringReserve   19us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Environmental Remediation [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Restructuring costs in accrued expenses 2us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
  2us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
2us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
    2us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
  2us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
Severance and Employee Benefits [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Restructuring charges 3us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
               
Cash payments 4us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
               
Restructuring costs in accrued expenses 14us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
  14us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
14us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
    14us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
  16us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Scenario, Forecast [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Additional restructuring charges after current fiscal         1cbt_AdditionalRestructuringChargesAfterCurrentFiscal
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
    1cbt_AdditionalRestructuringChargesAfterCurrentFiscal
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
 
Previous Actions and Sites Pending Sale [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Restructuring charges 2us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
               
Severance charges     67us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
           
Other charges     22us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
           
Expected restructuring charges 164us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
  164us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
164us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
    164us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
   
Cash payments       86us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
         
Site demolition, clearing and environmental remediation costs     10us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationExpense
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
           
Restructuring accelerated depreciation and asset impairments     66cbt_RestructuringAcceleratedDepreciationAndAssetImpairments
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
           
Gain on sale of asset     1us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfAssets
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
           
Previous Actions and Sites Pending Sale [Member] | Maximum [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Restructuring charges   1us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
             
Previous Actions and Sites Pending Sale [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Cash payments         3us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
       
Closure of Port Dickson [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Severance charges 2us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
               
Expected restructuring charges 20us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
  20us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
20us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
    20us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
   
Equity share in CMSB           50.10%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
     
Affected employees           90us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedNumberOfPositionsEliminated
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
     
Accelerated depreciation and asset write-offs 15us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAcceleratedDepreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
               
Portion of the charges that are allocable to the noncontrolling interest 49.90%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
  49.90%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
49.90%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
    49.90%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
   
Site demolition, clearing and environmental remediation costs 2us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
               
Expected cumulative net cash outlays related to plan 8cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
  8cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
8cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
    8cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
   
Closure of Port Dickson [Member] | Environmental Remediation [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Expected cumulative net cash outlays related to plan 5cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
  5cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
5cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
    5cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
   
Closure of Port Dickson [Member] | Severance and Employee Benefits [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Expected cumulative net cash outlays related to plan 2cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
  2cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
2cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
    2cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
   
Closure of Port Dickson [Member] | Facility Closure Costs [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Expected cumulative net cash outlays related to plan 1cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_FacilityClosureCostsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
  1cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_FacilityClosureCostsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
1cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_FacilityClosureCostsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
    1cbt_ExpectedCashOutlays
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_FacilityClosureCostsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
   
Closure of Port Dickson [Member] | Severance Costs [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Cash payments             4us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_SeveranceCostsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
   
Closure of Port Dickson [Member] | Maximum [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Other charges 1us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
1us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
             
Restructuring costs in accrued expenses 1us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
  1us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
1us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
    1us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
   
Closure of Port Dickson [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Cash payments         4us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_ClosureOfPortDicksonMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
       
Restructuring Activities Other [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Expected restructuring charges 1us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
4us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
1us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
1us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
    1us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
   
Restructuring Activities Other [Member] | Severance Costs [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Cash payments 1us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_SeveranceCostsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
               
Accrued severance charges 2cbt_AccruedSeveranceCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_SeveranceCostsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
  2cbt_AccruedSeveranceCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_SeveranceCostsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
2cbt_AccruedSeveranceCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_SeveranceCostsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
    2cbt_AccruedSeveranceCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_SeveranceCostsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
   
Restructuring Activities Other [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Severance Costs [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Cash payments         3us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_SeveranceCostsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
       
Restructuring Activities Other [Member] | Previous Actions and Sites Pending Sale [Member] | Severance Costs [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Accrued severance charges 3cbt_AccruedSeveranceCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_SeveranceCostsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
  3cbt_AccruedSeveranceCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_SeveranceCostsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
3cbt_AccruedSeveranceCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_SeveranceCostsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
    3cbt_AccruedSeveranceCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_SeveranceCostsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cbt_PreviousActionsAndSitesPendingSaleMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_RestructuringActivitiesOtherMember
   
Shared Service Center Transition [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Restructuring charges 4us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
          22us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
   
Severance charges             16us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
   
Other charges 3us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
          6us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
   
Cash payments             9us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
   
Restructuring costs in accrued expenses 12us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
  12us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
12us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
    12us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
   
Shared Service Center Transition [Member] | Severance and Employee Benefits [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Severance charges 1us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
               
Cash payments             3us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
   
Shared Service Center Transition [Member] | Other Transition Costs [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Cash payments             6us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
   
Shared Service Center Transition [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Severance charges               17us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
 
Other charges               8us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
 
Expected restructuring charges         25us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
    25us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
 
Cash payments         15us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
       
Shared Service Center Transition [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Severance and Employee Benefits [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Cash payments         3us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
       
Shared Service Center Transition [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Other Transition Costs [Member]                  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]                  
Cash payments         $ 12us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= cbt_TransitionServicesAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember