Investments (Equity Method Investments) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	$ 4,723	$ 4,369
Other investments	3	3
Total	4,726	4,372
Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	3,315	2,943
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest percentage, maximum	50.00%
Equity method investments	1,160	1,186
All Other [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest percentage, minimum	20.00%
Equity method investments	$ 248	$ 240

This element represents the aggregate carrying amount of all cost-method investments held by the Company. Generally, such investments do not have readily determinable fair values and are not required to be accounted for by the equity method. The carrying amount of such securities equates to cost, adjusted for other-than-temporary impairment. The cost method and lower-of-cost or market, an adaptation of the cost method, is generally followed for most investments in noncontrolled corporations, in some corporate joint ventures, and to a lesser extent in unconsolidated subsidiaries, particularly foreign.

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+ Details