Business Segments - Segment information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 8,172	$ 7,709	$ 23,667	$ 22,780
Operating Income	2,041	1,904	5,999	5,558
Assets	35,237		35,237		$ 32,906
Depreciation and amortization			1,195	1,090
Capital expenditures			914	984
Business Segments. | Industrial
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2,764	2,603	8,193	7,856
Operating Income	614	595	1,762	1,837
Business Segments. | Safety and Graphics
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,529	1,500	4,603	4,538
Operating Income	410	372	1,661	1,152
Business Segments. | Health Care
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,476	1,371	4,339	4,176
Operating Income	471	431	1,317	1,350
Business Segments. | Electronics and Energy
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,414	1,250	3,838	3,468
Operating Income	394	304	920	716
Business Segments. | Consumer
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,236	1,210	3,415	3,390
Operating Income	307	317	724	836
Corporate and Unallocated
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1	2	5	5
Operating Income	(100)	(65)	(225)	(189)
Elimination of Dual Credit
Business Segment Information
Net sales	(248)	(227)	(726)	(653)
Operating Income	$ (55)	$ (50)	$ (160)	$ (144)