Business Segments - Segment information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 8,152	$ 8,172	$ 24,820	$ 23,667
Operating Income	2,016	2,008	5,424	5,903
Assets	37,275		37,275		$ 37,987
Depreciation and amortization			1,117	1,195
Capital expenditures			1,046	914
Business Segments. | Industrial
Business Segment Information
Net sales	3,023	3,023	9,315	8,905
Operating Income	667	672	2,110	1,910
Business Segments. | Safety And Graphics
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,660	1,551	5,258	4,670
Operating Income	412	411	1,375	1,661
Business Segments. | Health Care
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,445	1,485	4,501	4,369
Operating Income	446	467	1,341	1,304
Business Segments. | Electronics And Energy
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,443	1,515	4,130	4,096
Operating Income	457	430	1,659	1,011
Business Segments. | Consumer
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,235	1,279	3,585	3,521
Operating Income	291	311	770	732
Corporate and Unallocated
Business Segment Information
Net sales	35	3	47	6
Operating Income	(77)	(112)	(1,329)	(256)
Elimination of Dual Credit
Business Segment Information
Net sales	(689)	(684)	(2,016)	(1,900)
Operating Income	$ (180)	$ (171)	$ (502)	$ (459)