Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 11, 2014 mi	Jun. 30, 2007 mi	Dec. 31, 2014
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	$ 3,900,000				$ 5,000,000
Aggregate environmental accruals included in current other accrued liabilities	2,100,000				3,200,000
Remediation accrual balance if accrued at high end of the range of possible outcomes	28,000,000
Amount which is better estimate within range	0				0
Environmental remediation spending charged to reserve balance	1,300,000	1,000,000
Operating costs relating to environmental compliance	3,100,000	3,500,000
Capital expenditure for environmental matters	900,000	1,100,000
Lower Passaic River
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Number of entities, in addition to Hexcel, who received a directive from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection	72
Portion of the river for which interim remedial options are considered (in miles)			8	8
Remediation accrual balance if accrued at lower end of the range of possible outcomes	2,000,000				2,100,000
Lower Passaic River | Minimum
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Expected cost of dredging of the lower eight miles of the river by EPA			800,000,000
Lower Passaic River | Maximum
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Expected cost of dredging of the lower eight miles of the river by EPA			3,250,000,000
Lodi, New Jersey Site
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	600,000				1,700,000
Kent, Washington Site
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	600,000				500,000
Omega Chemical Corporation Superfund Site, Whittier, California
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	$ 500,000				$ 600,000
Approximate contribution to waste tonnage (as a percent)	1.07%