Consolidated Income Statements (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Consolidated Income Statements [Abstract]
Sales	$ 9,611.7		$ 9,673.7		$ 8,616.1
Cost of sales	7,051.9		7,098.3		6,288.9
Selling and administrative	946.8		941.7		886.6
Research and development	126.4		118.8		114.7
Business restructuring and cost reduction plans	327.4	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Gain on previously held equity interest	85.9		0		0
Net loss on Airgas transaction	0		48.5		96.0
Customer bankruptcy	9.8		0		(6.4)
Pension settlement	0		0		11.5
Other income, net	47.1		41.7		42.9
Operating Income	1,282.4		1,508.1		1,267.7
Equity affiliates' income	153.8		154.3		126.9
Interest expense	123.7		115.5		121.9
Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes	1,312.5		1,546.9		1,272.7
Income tax provision	287.3		375.3		305.7
Income from Continuing Operations	1,025.2		1,171.6		967.0
Income from Discontinued Operations, net of tax	168.1		89.9		87.5
Net Income	1,193.3		1,261.5		1,054.5
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	26.0		37.3		25.4
Net Income Attributable to Air Products	1,167.3		1,224.2		1,029.1
Net Income Attributable to Air Products
Income from continuing operations	999.2		1,134.3		941.6
Income from discontinued operations	168.1		89.9		87.5
Net Income Attributable to Air Products	$ 1,167.3		$ 1,224.2		$ 1,029.1
Basic Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to Air Products
Income from continuing operations	$ 4.73		$ 5.33		$ 4.44
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.80		$ 0.42		$ 0.41
Net Income Attributable to Air Products	$ 5.53		$ 5.75		$ 4.85
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to Air Products
Income from continuing operations	$ 4.66		$ 5.22		$ 4.34
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.78		$ 0.41		$ 0.40
Net Income Attributable to Air Products	$ 5.44		$ 5.63		$ 4.74
Weighted Average of Common Shares Outstanding (in millions)	211.2		213.0		212.2
Weighted Average of Common Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution (in millions)	214.7		217.6		217.1

[1] Information about how this charge related to the businesses at the segment level is discussed in Note 4, Business Restructuring and Cost Reduction Plans.