Business Segments - Segment information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 7,709	$ 7,712	$ 22,780	$ 22,976
Operating Income	1,904	1,876	5,558	5,446
Assets	34,051		34,051		$ 32,718
Depreciation and amortization			1,090	1,038
Capital expenditures			984	1,015
Business Segments. | Industrial
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2,582	2,557	7,789	7,845
Operating Income	591	578	1,823	1,782
Business Segments. | Safety and Graphics
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,448	1,417	4,359	4,221
Operating Income	364	324	1,120	1,023
Business Segments. | Health Care
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,361	1,346	4,148	4,039
Operating Income	429	432	1,344	1,280
Business Segments. | Electronics and Energy
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,293	1,397	3,618	4,033
Operating Income	312	344	749	907
Business Segments. | Consumer
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,209	1,162	3,388	3,321
Operating Income	317	293	836	792
Corporate and Unallocated
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2	1	7	(1)
Operating Income	(69)	(58)	(198)	(232)
Elimination of Dual Credit
Business Segment Information
Net sales	(186)	(168)	(529)	(482)
Operating Income	$ (40)	$ (37)	$ (116)	$ (106)