Other Operating Expense - Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Other Income And Expenses Operating [Abstract]
Pre-tax charges for additional environmental reserves to remediate	$ 6.0

Represents the amount of pre-tax charges for additional environmental reserves to remediate.

No definition available.

Name:	hxl_PretaxChargesForAdditionalEnvironmentalReservesToRemediate
Namespace Prefix:	hxl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration