Restricted Cash	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Cash [Abstract]
Restricted Cash	Note 3: Restricted Cash On October 19, 2007, prior to the Platinum Acquisition, the Company deposited $5.0 million in a trust account to fund payments arising from the Platinum Acquisition, primarily payments to the Predecessor Board of Directors. This trust account was closed in 2011 and the $1.8 million balance at December 31, 2010 was returned to the Company's general funds. As part of one of our note indentures, proceeds from the sale of property, plant, and equipment are deposited in a restricted cash account. Cash can be withdrawn from this restricted account upon meeting certain requirements. The balance in this account was $0.9 million and $6.6 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In addition, Ryerson China has a restricted cash balance of $0.3 million and $2.3 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, which is primarily related to letters of credit that can be presented for product material purchases. We also have cash restricted for purposes of covering letters of credit that can be presented for potential insurance claims, which totaled $4.1 million and $4.9 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Note 3: Restricted Cash

On October 19, 2007, prior to the Platinum Acquisition, the Company deposited $5.0 million in a trust account to fund payments arising from the Platinum Acquisition, primarily payments to the Predecessor Board of Directors. This trust account was closed in 2011 and the $1.8 million balance at December 31, 2010 was returned to the Company's general funds. As part of one of our note indentures, proceeds from the sale of property, plant, and equipment are deposited in a restricted cash account. Cash can be withdrawn from this restricted account upon meeting certain requirements. The balance in this account was $0.9 million and $6.6 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In addition, Ryerson China has a restricted cash balance of $0.3 million and $2.3 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, which is primarily related to letters of credit that can be presented for product material purchases. We also have cash restricted for purposes of covering letters of credit that can be presented for potential insurance claims, which totaled $4.1 million and $4.9 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.