Restructuring Impairment Charges - Restructuring and Impairment Charges (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Cost of Sales
Inventory impairment related to Bremen shut-down							$ 1,805
Total charges for cost of sales	409				1,545
Restructuring and Impairment
Severance and related costs			2,300
Total charges for restructuring and impairment	1,766				9,980
High Performance Foams
Cost of Sales
Accelerated depreciation expense related to Bremen shut-down	179				764
Inventory impairment related to Bremen shut-down	0				191
Restructuring and Impairment
Fixed asset impairment for Bisco and Poron asset disposal	0				79
Power Electronics Solutions | Power Distribution Systems
Cost of Sales
Accelerated depreciation expense related to Bremen shut-down	139				499
Restructuring and Impairment
Impairment of investment related receivable	0				264
Severance and related costs	27	[1]			504	[1]
Power Electronics Solutions | Curamik Electronics Solutions
Restructuring and Impairment
Severance and related costs	506	[1]			1,463	[1]
Composite Material Division
Cost of Sales
Inventory impairment related to Bremen shut-down	91				91
Printed Circuit Materials
Restructuring and Impairment
Severance and related costs	0	[1]			3,046	[1]
Other
Restructuring and Impairment
Severance and related costs	0	[1]			303	[1]
Employee Severance
Restructuring and Impairment
Severance and related costs					1,600
Employee Severance | High Performance Foams
Restructuring and Impairment
Severance and related costs	0	[1]			3,088	[1]
Facility Closing | High Performance Foams
Restructuring and Impairment
Severance and related costs	$ 1,233				$ 1,233

[1] For the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, this includes an estimated charge of $2.3 million recorded in the first quarter of 2012, offset by a favorable adjustment of $0.7 million recorded in the second quarter of 2012. This net charge of $1.6 million, for 2012, was related to the early retirement program implemented in the first quarter of 2012.