Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 16,841	$ 16,841	$ 21,943	$ 18,589
Amortization of Intangible Assets		800	900	400
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets in 2016	600	600
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets in 2017	600	600
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets in 2018	600	600
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets in 2019	500	500
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets in 2020	500	$ 500
Weighted Average Useful Life		10 years
Carrying Value of Asset Group	358,260	$ 358,260	361,770	274,685
Finite-Lived Patents, Gross	4,137	4,137	6,037
Long-lived asset impairment charge related to Solutech		1,354	0	0
Performance Materials Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	12,900	12,900
Industrial Filtration
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	3,943	3,943	3,943	$ 0
Other Products and Services
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	0	0	4,660
Other Products and Services | Life Sciences Vital Fluids
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill purchase accounting adjustment		$ (4,700)
Andrew Industries Limited
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets			5,600
Weighted Average Useful Life		11 years
Andrew Industries Limited | Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets			600
Andrew Industries Limited | Customer Relationships
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets			2,500
Andrew Industries Limited | Technology
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets			$ 2,500
Solutech
Goodwill [Line Items]
Weighted Average Useful Life		8 years
Carrying Value of Asset Group	3,200	$ 3,200
Finite-Lived Patents, Gross	700	$ 700
Long-lived asset impairment charge related to Solutech	$ 1,400