Acquisitions and Divestitures- Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011 Lydall Industrial Thermal Solutions Inc	Jun. 29, 2011 Lydall Industrial Thermal Solutions Inc	Jun. 29, 2011 Affinity Business [Member]	Jul. 02, 2012 Performance Materials Segment [Member] Electrical Paper Product [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Performance Materials Segment [Member] Electrical Paper Product [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Performance Materials Segment [Member] Electrical Paper Product [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 License Agreement [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 License Agreement [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 License Agreement [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 License Agreement [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Non Compete Agreement [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale of Affinity business in cash							$ 15,200,000
Gain on sale of Affinity business, net of transaction cost and income taxes			0	3,857,000	0	3,900,000
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates								15,200,000		5,800,000
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Business		3,900,000						3,900,000			2,500,000
Part Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses and Interests In Affiliates										4,800,000
Additional Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses and Interests In Affiliates									1,000,000
Net Gain Loss On Sale Of Business											1,700,000
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	800,000
Deferred Gain On Sale Of Business Unit	3,200,000
Deferred Income On Sale											800,000		1,600,000	800,000
Remainder Of Gain Loss On Sale Of Business												800,000	800,000
Estimated Selling Price Of Business															$ 3,200,000	$ 2,600,000