Business Segments - Business Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 7,176	$ 8,171	$ 15,251	$ 16,034
Operating Income	1,740	1,702	3,403	2,838
Assets	45,079		45,079		$ 44,659
Depreciation and amortization			932	751
Capital expenditures			711	812
Property, Plant and Equipment - net	9,089		9,089		$ 9,333
Gain/(loss) on sale of businesses	387		389	8
Total operating expenses	5,436	6,469	11,848	13,196
Other expense (income), net	111	256	207	304
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	1,629	1,446	3,196	2,534
Business Segments.
Business Segment Information
Operating Income	1,488	1,894	3,305	3,647
Business Segments. | Safety and Industrial
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2,668	2,937	5,603	5,900
Operating Income	636	647	1,362	1,284
Business Segments. | Transportation and Electronics
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,937	2,450	4,175	4,805
Operating Income	382	591	864	1,110
Business Segments. | Health Care
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,825	1,831	3,928	3,569
Operating Income	306	483	762	942
Business Segments. | Consumer
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,238	1,320	2,494	2,520
Operating Income	287	273	556	508
Corporate and Unallocated
Business Segment Information
Net sales	(2)	48	(1)	70
Significant litigation-related (charges)/benefits			(17)	(548)
Gain/(loss) on sale of businesses	387		389	8
Divestiture-related restructuring actions	(55)		(55)
Other corporate expense - net	(80)	(192)	(219)	(269)
Total operating expenses	252	(192)	98	(809)
Elimination of Dual Credit
Business Segment Information
Net sales	(490)	(415)	(948)	(830)
Operating Income	$ (123)	$ (100)	$ (239)	$ (197)