Business Segments - Segment information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 7,990	$ 8,172	$ 7,810	$ 7,685	$ 7,329	$ 7,709	$ 7,662	$ 7,409	$ 31,657	$ 30,109	$ 30,274
Operating Income									7,820	7,223	6,946
Assets	37,987				32,906				37,987	32,906	32,883
Depreciation and amortization									1,544	1,474	1,435
Capital expenditures									1,373	1,420	1,461
Business Segments. | Industrial
Business Segment Information
Net sales									10,911	10,399	10,388
Operating Income									2,289	2,395	2,277
Assets	9,895				9,140				9,895	9,140	9,205
Depreciation and amortization									432	407	374
Capital expenditures									435	360	317
Business Segments. | Safety and Graphics
Business Segment Information
Net sales									6,148	5,881	5,736
Operating Income									2,067	1,423	1,332
Assets	9,874				7,626				9,874	7,626	7,709
Depreciation and amortization									275	277	258
Capital expenditures									184	228	207
Business Segments. | Health Care
Business Segment Information
Net sales									5,813	5,566	5,449
Operating Income									1,781	1,763	1,730
Assets	4,757				4,293				4,757	4,293	4,391
Depreciation and amortization									246	175	179
Capital expenditures									83	136	168
Business Segments. | Electronics and Energy
Business Segment Information
Net sales									5,159	4,643	5,069
Operating Income									1,254	1,041	1,083
Assets	4,395				4,418				4,395	4,418	4,645
Depreciation and amortization									175	229	279
Capital expenditures									165	200	203
Business Segments. | Consumer
Business Segment Information
Net sales									4,589	4,484	4,429
Operating Income									993	1,065	1,048
Assets	2,706				2,497				2,706	2,497	2,386
Depreciation and amortization									112	114	108
Capital expenditures									109	109	124
Corporate and Unallocated
Business Segment Information
Net sales									1	7	(2)
Operating Income									(352)	(272)	(349)
Assets	$ 6,360				$ 4,932				6,360	4,932	4,547
Depreciation and amortization									304	272	237
Capital expenditures									397	387	442
Elimination of Dual Credit
Business Segment Information
Net sales									(964)	(871)	(795)
Operating Income									$ (212)	$ (192)	$ (175)