Reportable Segments (Information Concerning Principal Geographic Areas) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 7,890		$ 6,632		$ 5,395
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	1,676		1,564		1,298
Long-lived assets	6,087	[1]	4,969	[1]	4,625	[1]
Canada [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	229		199		110
Mexico [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	26		42		44
Long-lived assets	78	[1]	95	[1]	64	[1]
Total North America [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	1,931		1,805		1,452
Long-lived assets	6,165	[1]	5,064	[1]	4,689	[1]
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	1,252		1,068		667
Long-lived assets	2,210	[1]	2,368	[1]	2,095	[1]
Taiwan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	1,850		1,891		1,732
Long-lived assets	3,341	[1]	2,850	[1]	2,518	[1]
China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	1,550		756		633
Long-lived assets	764	[1]	314	[1]	400	[1]
Korea [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	101		72		61
Long-lived assets	3,357	[1]	2,946	[1]	2,766	[1]
Other, Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	145		127		103
Long-lived assets	11	[1]	11	[1]	10	[1]
Total Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	4,898		3,914		3,196
Long-lived assets	9,683	[1]	8,489	[1]	7,789	[1]
Germany [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	318		270		188
Long-lived assets	134	[1]	121	[1]	57	[1]
France [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	65		54		47
Long-lived assets	197	[1]	195	[1]	125	[1]
United Kingdom [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	124		118		92
Long-lived assets			4	[1]
Other, Europe [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	263		239		260
Long-lived assets	273	[1]	241	[1]	63	[1]
Total Europe [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	770		681		587
Long-lived assets	604	[1]	561	[1]	245	[1]
Brazil [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	29		28		19
Long-lived assets	1	[1]
Other, Latin America [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	25		25		15
Long-lived assets	6	[1]
Total Latin America [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	54		53		34
Long-lived assets	7	[1]
All Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	237		179		126
Long-lived assets	25	[1]	25	[1]	26	[1]
Total [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	7,890		6,632		5,395
Long-lived assets	$ 16,484	[1]	$ 14,139	[1]	$ 12,749	[1]

[1] Long-lived assets primarily include investments, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets. Assets in the U.S. and Korea include investments in Dow Corning Corporation and Samsung Corning Precision.