INCOME TAXES INCOME TAXES (Total Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Unrecognized Tax Benefits		$ 231	$ 253	$ 231	$ 280	$ 240
Decreases related to positions taken on items from prior years			4	12	6
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions			37	153	92
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions			10	135	10
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities		67	12	325	56
Decreases due to expiration of statutes of limitations			9	0	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate		223	243	223	206
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense			2	(55)	80
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued		89	$ 110	$ 89	$ 178
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions		206
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Settlement, Amount		$ 13
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Acquisition	$ 126