Business Segments - Segment information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 32,765	$ 31,657	$ 30,109
Operating Income	7,207	7,692	7,027
Assets	36,500	37,987	32,906
Depreciation and amortization	1,488	1,544	1,474
Capital expenditures	1,577	1,373	1,420
Business Segments. | Industrial
Business Segment Information
Net sales	12,267	11,866	11,217
Operating Income	2,737	2,490	2,528
Assets	9,855	9,895	9,140
Depreciation and amortization	376	432	407
Capital expenditures	454	381	360
Business Segments. | Safety And Graphics
Business Segment Information
Net sales	6,827	6,235	5,948
Operating Income	1,720	2,066	1,403
Assets	9,657	9,874	7,626
Depreciation and amortization	300	275	277
Capital expenditures	210	184	228
Business Segments. | Health Care
Business Segment Information
Net sales	6,021	5,853	5,606
Operating Income	1,799	1,764	1,731
Assets	4,687	4,757	4,293
Depreciation and amortization	162	175	175
Capital expenditures	180	137	136
Business Segments. | Electronics And Energy
Business Segment Information
Net sales	5,472	5,501	4,926
Operating Income	2,055	1,377	1,145
Assets	3,993	4,291	4,335
Depreciation and amortization	134	240	223
Capital expenditures	115	152	187
Business Segments. | Consumer
Business Segment Information
Net sales	4,796	4,731	4,578
Operating Income	1,027	1,004	1,054
Assets	2,757	2,706	2,497
Depreciation and amortization	91	112	114
Capital expenditures	115	109	109
Corporate and Unallocated
Business Segment Information
Net sales	50	3	6
Operating Income	(1,465)	(395)	(321)
Assets	5,551	6,464	5,015
Depreciation and amortization	425	310	278
Capital expenditures	503	410	400
Elimination of Dual Credit
Business Segment Information
Net sales	(2,668)	(2,532)	(2,172)
Operating Income	$ (666)	$ (614)	$ (513)