Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended						3 Months Ended			1 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012 Lower Passaic River Study Area Entity	Jun. 30, 2007 Lower Passaic River Study Area mi 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	Jun. 30, 2012 Lower Passaic River Study Area	Mar. 31, 2013 Lower Passaic River Study Area	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, 2013 Lodi, New Jersey Site	Mar. 31, 2013 Kent, Washington Site	Mar. 31, 2013 Omega Chemical Corporation Superfund Site, Whittier, CA
Environmental costs
Accrued additional charges									$ 0.5
Accrual for environmental remediation	6.7													4.0	1.0	0.6
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
Number of PRPs entered into environmental activities with EPA			69
Environmental remediation activity, Cash expenditures			20
Minimum number of entities against whom third party complaint was filed											300
Amount payable, if settlement is approved by the Court										0.3
Approximate contribution to waste tonnage (as a percent)																1.07%
Aggregate environmental accruals included in current other accrued liabilities	4.2
Amount which is a better estimate within the range	0
Remediation accrual balance if accrued at high end of the range of possible outcomes	1.5
Environmental remediation spending charged to reserve balance	0.8	1.6
Operating costs relating to environmental compliance	3.3	2.8
Capital expenditure for environmental matters	0.8	0.3
Changes in accrued product warranty cost
Balance at the beginning of the period	5.1
Warranty expense	0.6
Deductions and other	(1.7)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 4.0