Accumulated losses of unconsolidated subsidiaries in excess of investment

No definition available.

Name:	ck0000013239_AccumulatedLossesOfUnconsolidatedSubsidiariesInExcessOfInvestment
Namespace Prefix:	ck0000013239_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	ck0000013239_SupplementalGuarantorFinancialInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ck0000013239_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net cash inflow or outflow from investing activity.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 24

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3521-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 26

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3574-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 26

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value that are not defined as investing or financing activities. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a debit balance consistent with its label.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 26

-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.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3536-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-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.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 24

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3521-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of current assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Current assets are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 8

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2013 Subsidiary Issuers	Mar. 31, 2012 Subsidiary Issuers	Dec. 31, 2012 Subsidiary Issuers	Dec. 31, 2011 Subsidiary Issuers	Dec. 31, 2010 Subsidiary Issuers	Mar. 31, 2013 Combined Subsidiary Guarantors	Mar. 31, 2012 Combined Subsidiary Guarantors	Dec. 31, 2012 Combined Subsidiary Guarantors	Dec. 31, 2011 Combined Subsidiary Guarantors	Dec. 31, 2010 Combined Subsidiary Guarantors	Dec. 31, 2010 Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Adjustment	Mar. 31, 2013 Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.	Mar. 31, 2012 Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.	Dec. 31, 2012 Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.	Dec. 31, 2010 Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.	Mar. 31, 2012 Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. Adjustment	Dec. 31, 2011 Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. Adjustment	Dec. 31, 2010 Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. Adjustment	Mar. 31, 2013 6.625% First Priority Senior Notes Due 2020	Jan. 31, 2013 6.625% First Priority Senior Notes Due 2020	Dec. 31, 2012 6.625% First Priority Senior Notes Due 2020	Mar. 31, 2012 6.625% First Priority Senior Notes Due 2020	Mar. 31, 2013 8.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2018	Dec. 31, 2012 8.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2018	Jan. 31, 2012 8.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2018	Jan. 31, 2010 8.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2018	Mar. 31, 2013 9.00% Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes Due 2020	Dec. 31, 2012 9.00% Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes Due 2020	Nov. 30, 2010 9.00% Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes Due 2020
Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information [Line Items]
Stated interest rate																									6.625%	6.625%	6.625%	6.625%	8.875%	8.875%	8.875%	8.875%	9.00%	9.00%	9.00%
Ownership interest						100.00%		100.00%			100.00%		100.00%
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (33)	$ 18	$ 177	$ 171	$ 51	$ 14	$ 1	$ (59)	$ 8	$ 19	$ 9	$ 5	$ 16	$ 31	$ 5	$ 1	$ 45	$ 24	$ 88	$ (41)	$ (444)	$ 6	$ 25	$ 18
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(27)	(28)	(138)	33	(105)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(19)	(19)	0	(1)	17	10	9	81	321	(6)	(25)	(18)
Other assets, net	90		81	72		0		0	0		0		0	0			36		38	27			192
Accumulated losses of unconsolidated subsidiaries in excess of investment	$ 0		$ 0	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0	$ 0		$ 87		$ 107	$ 0			$ 355		$ 325	$ 192			$ 192