Segment Information (Information About Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 142,820	$ 129,134	$ 401,252	$ 374,584
Operating income (loss)	19,009	10,329	37,931	18,839
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures	1,754	1,773	3,045	3,735
Other income (expense), net	(101)	19	(867)	140
Realized gain (loss)	0	0	0	(3,245)
Interest income (expense), net	(881)	(1,104)	(2,616)	(3,366)
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	19,781	11,017	37,493	16,103
Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	142,820	129,134	401,252	374,584
Operating income (loss)	19,009	10,329	37,931	18,839
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures	1,754	1,773	3,045	3,735
Other income (expense), net	(101)	19	(867)	140
Realized gain (loss)	0	0	0	(3,245)
Interest income (expense), net	(881)	(1,104)	(2,616)	(3,366)
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	19,781	11,017	37,493	16,103
Reportable Segment [Member] | High Performance Foams [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	44,460	48,045	126,839	131,807
Operating income (loss)	7,490	8,848	17,622	16,001
Reportable Segment [Member] | Printed Circuit Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	47,105	43,437	136,253	123,352
Operating income (loss)	5,857	3,195	13,651	5,971
Reportable Segment [Member] | Power Electronics Solutions [Member] | Curamik Electronics Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	32,137	22,050	83,951	70,250
Operating income (loss)	986	(2,394)	(4,650)	(5,371)
Reportable Segment [Member] | Power Electronics Solutions [Member] | Power Distribution Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	13,191	9,395	36,460	31,484
Operating income (loss)	2,824	(325)	5,473	(840)
Reportable Segment [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	5,927	6,207	17,749	17,691
Operating income (loss)	$ 1,852	$ 1,005	$ 5,835	$ 3,078