Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended						1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2007 Lower Passaic River Study Area option mile	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	Jun. 30, 2007 Lower Passaic River Study Area Minimum	Jun. 30, 2007 Lower Passaic River Study Area Maximum	Mar. 31, 2012 Lodi, New Jersey Site	Mar. 31, 2012 Kent, Washington Site	Mar. 31, 2012 Omega Chemical Corporation Superfund Site, Whittier, CA
Environmental costs
Accrual for environmental remediation	$ 3.4										$ 1.5	$ 1.3
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
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
Number of entities assuming responsibility for environmental study by EPA				73
Portion of the river for which interim remedial options are considered (in miles)			8
Number of interim remedial options			6
Estimated cost of the six interim remedial options for the lower eight miles of the river									900	2,300
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 current other accrued liabilities	2.5
Remediation accrual balance if accrued at high end of the range of possible outcomes	1.5
Environmental remediation spending charged directly to reserve balance	1.6	2.1
Operating costs relating to environmental compliance	2.8	2.3
Capital expenditure for environmental matters	0.3	0.2
Changes in accrued product warranty cost
Balance at the beginning of the period	5.7
Warranty expense	1.3
Deductions and other	(1.0)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 6.0