Restructuring Plant Closure and Severance (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring - plant closure and severance	$ 914,000	$ 3,505,000	$ 12,924,000
2011 Restructuring - Boron Segment [Member] | Employee Severance and Related Compensation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring - plant closure and severance	900,000
2010 Restructuring - Advanced Ceramics Operations Segment [Member] | Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring - plant closure and severance		3,500,000
2009 Restructuring - ESK Ceramics Segment [Member] | Employee Severance and Related Compensation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated			97
Severance Costs			2,700,000
2009 Restructuring - ESK Ceramics Segment [Member] | Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Size of manufacturing facility closed (in square feet)			88,000
Restructuring charges, pre-tax			12,200,000
2009 Restructuring - ESK Ceramics Segment [Member] | Facility Closing [Member] | Operating Expense [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, pre-tax			10,300,000
2009 Restructuring - ESK Ceramics Segment [Member] | Facility Closing [Member] | Cost of Goods Sold [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, pre-tax			$ 1,900,000