COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Asbestos-Related Matters of Union Carbide Corporation) (Table and Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Union Carbide Corporation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Union Carbide Corporation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Union Carbide Corporation [Member]	Dec. 02, 2010 Union Carbide Corporation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2002 Union Carbide Corporation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Union Carbide Corporation [Member] Estimated Insurance Recoveries Carriers Without Settlement Agreements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Union Carbide Corporation [Member] Estimated Insurance Recoveries Carriers Without Settlement Agreements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Union Carbide Corporation [Member] Estimated Insurance Recoveries Defense Costs [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Union Carbide Corporation [Member] Estimated Insurance Recoveries Defense Costs [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Union Carbide Corporation [Member] Estimated Insurance Recoveries Resolution Costs [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Union Carbide Corporation [Member] Estimated Insurance Recoveries Resolution Costs [Member]	Nov. 30, 2010 Union Carbide Corporation [Member] Asbestos Related Matters [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Liability for asbestos claims, gross					$ 668	$ 728	$ 839	$ 744	$ 2,200
Liability for asbestos claims, estimated minimum																744
Liability for asbestos claims, estimated maximum																835
Asbestos-related credits	0	(54)	[1]	0		(54)
Percentage of recorded asbestos liability related to pending claims					18.00%	21.00%
Percentage of recorded asbestos liability related to future claims					82.00%	79.00%
Estimated insurance recoveries					218	298			1,350	40	50	20	12	158	236
Defense and resolution costs for asbestos related claims, net of insurance					$ 88	$ 73	$ 58

[1] See Note N for information regarding the asbestos-related credit.