Segment Information (Net Sales By Product) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended														12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Sep. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2010		Mar. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 138,200	$ 143,594	[1]	$ 135,298	[2]	$ 124,380	$ 131,469	[3]	$ 124,371	[4]	$ 123,574	[5]	$ 102,927	[6]	$ 541,472	$ 482,341	$ 411,910
Carbon Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales															466,046	406,039	336,986
Capital Equipment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales															40,650	36,765	35,367
Equipment Leasing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales															14,815	14,454	15,232
Carbon Cloth Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales															7,868	6,923	7,918
Spare Parts [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales															5,624	9,245	8,549
Home Consumer Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales															862	1,695	1,880
Other Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales															$ 5,607	$ 7,220	$ 5,978

[1] Includes $2.8 million of net earnings related to a reversal of net uncertain tax positions (Refer to Note 12 of the Company's consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report for further information).

[2] Includes a $1.3 million, pre-tax, reduction in an environmental liability. Refer to Note 16 of the Company's consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report for further information.

[3] Includes a $0.9 million loss on debt extinguishment and a $0.3 million charge related to a litigation contingency. Refer to Note 16 of the Company's consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report for further information.

[4] Includes $3.5 million of net earnings related to a reduction in valuation allowance associated with foreign tax credits and a net $0.5 million of charges related to litigation and other contingencies. Refer to Notes 12 and 16 of the Company's consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report for further information.

[5] Includes an $11.5 million charge related to a litigation contingency. Refer to Note 16 of the Company's consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report for further information.

[6] Includes a $2.7 million gain on acquisitions. The results of the last three quarters of 2010 include the impacts of the first quarter 2010 acquisitions. Refer to Note 2 of the Company's consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report for further information.