Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Lodi, New Jersey Site	Sep. 30, 2011 Kent, Washington Site	Sep. 30, 2011 Omega Chemical Corporation Superfund Site, Whittier, CA	Jun. 30, 2007 Lower Passaic River Study Area mile option	Oct. 31, 2005 Lower Passaic River Study Area entity	May 31, 2005 Lower Passaic River Study Area entity	Feb. 29, 2004 Lower Passaic River Study Area entity	Oct. 31, 2003 Lower Passaic River Study Area entity	Feb. 04, 2009 Lower Passaic River Study Area entity
Environmental costs
Accrual for environmental remediation	$ 5,700,000			$ 5,700,000		$ 3,400,000
Number of entities, in addition to Hexcel, who received a directive from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection													66
Number of entities who received notice from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)												42
Estimated cost for study of environmental conditions by EPA												10,000,000
Number of participating entities financing the study of environmental conditions by EPA											43
Maximum amount of financing for the study of environmental conditions by EPA											10,000,000
Number of entities assuming responsibility for environmental study by EPA										73
Length of river for which interim remedial options are considered (in miles)									8
Number of interim remedial options									6
Estimated environmental remediation cost, low end of range									900,000,000
Estimated environmental remediation cost, high end of range									2,300,000,000
Minimum number of entities against whom third party complaint was filed														300
Approximate contribution to waste tonnage (as a percent)								1.07%
Aggregate environmental accruals included in accrued liabilities	3,100,000			3,100,000			1,500,000
Environmental remediation spending charged directly to reserve balance	1,400,000	1,100,000		4,900,000	3,500,000
Operating costs relating to environmental compliance	2,700,000	2,100,000		7,500,000	6,800,000	2,500,000
Capital expenditure for environmental matters	2,200,000	500,000		2,500,000	900,000
Changes in accrued product warranty cost
Balance at the beginning of the period	4,900,000		4,300,000	4,300,000
Warranty expense	1,500,000		700,000
Deductions and other	(1,000,000)		(100,000)	(1,100,000)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 5,400,000		$ 4,900,000	$ 5,400,000