Guarantor Subsidiaries (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Net sales	$ 143,671	$ 102,593	$ 387,734	$ 317,129
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	118,665	88,418	312,134	258,482
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	16,388	15,771	51,464	47,828
Research, technical, and product development expenses	925	783	2,447	2,536
Asset and asset-related charges (income)		(151)	(1,501)	(3,262)
Operating income (loss)	7,693	(2,228)	23,190	11,545
Other income (expense)	198	(519)	(238)	(153)
Interest income (expense), net	(3,842)	(137)	(11,812)	(470)
Income (loss) before income taxes	4,049	(2,884)	11,140	10,922
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	1,982	13,891	4,603	6,060
Net income (loss)	2,067	(16,775)	6,537	4,862
RTI International Metals, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Net sales		(667)		13,493
Costs and expenses:
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	(793)	(611)	(1,358)	10,213
Operating income (loss)	793	(56)	1,358	3,280
Other income (expense)	(39)	38	(72)	(48)
Interest income (expense), net	(4,074)	(399)	(12,413)	(1,215)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	4,179	(6,766)	14,610	3,455
Income (loss) before income taxes	859	(7,183)	3,483	5,472
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(1,208)	9,592	(3,054)	610
Net income (loss)	2,067	(16,775)	6,537	4,862
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Net sales	97,118	63,070	258,136	177,819
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	85,942	55,955	218,953	160,161
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	5,707	5,656	17,376	3,617
Research, technical, and product development expenses	874	783	2,304	2,536
Operating income (loss)	4,595	676	19,503	11,505
Other income (expense)	34	(54)		4
Interest income (expense), net	479	1,296	1,346	4,068
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,108	1,918	20,849	15,577
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	2,465	5,211	8,173	4,802
Net income (loss)	2,643	(3,293)	12,676	10,775
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Net sales	95,330	68,103	262,234	208,261
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	81,500	60,376	225,817	180,765
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	11,474	10,726	35,446	33,998
Research, technical, and product development expenses	51		143
Asset and asset-related charges (income)		(151)	(1,501)	(3,262)
Operating income (loss)	2,305	(2,848)	2,329	(3,240)
Other income (expense)	203	(503)	(166)	(109)
Interest income (expense), net	(247)	(1,034)	(745)	(3,323)
Income (loss) before income taxes	2,261	(4,385)	1,418	(6,672)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	725	(912)	(516)	648
Net income (loss)	1,536	(3,473)	1,934	(7,320)
Eliminations [Member]
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Net sales	(48,777)	(27,913)	(132,636)	(82,444)
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	(48,777)	(27,913)	(132,636)	(82,444)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(4,179)	6,766	(14,610)	(3,455)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(4,179)	6,766	(14,610)	(3,455)
Net income (loss)	$ (4,179)	$ 6,766	$ (14,610)	$ (3,455)