Note 11 - Geographic And Segment Information (Details) - Net Sales By Geographic Location as Percentage of Total Consolidated Net Sales (Percentage of Total Consolidated Net Sales [Member])	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012
Note 11 - Geographic And Segment Information (Details) - Net Sales By Geographic Location as Percentage of Total Consolidated Net Sales [Line Items]
Net Sales, Percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Inside the U.S.A to Unaffiliated Customers [Member]
Note 11 - Geographic And Segment Information (Details) - Net Sales By Geographic Location as Percentage of Total Consolidated Net Sales [Line Items]
Net Sales, Percentage	69.80%	58.00%	68.90%	61.20%
Joint Ventures In Which The Company Is A Shareholder Directly And Indirectly - Outside the U.S.A [Member]
Note 11 - Geographic And Segment Information (Details) - Net Sales By Geographic Location as Percentage of Total Consolidated Net Sales [Line Items]
Net Sales, Percentage	11.10%	10.90%	14.90%	12.60%
Unaffiliated Customers - Outside the U.S.A [Member]
Note 11 - Geographic And Segment Information (Details) - Net Sales By Geographic Location as Percentage of Total Consolidated Net Sales [Line Items]
Net Sales, Percentage	19.10%	31.10%	16.20%	26.20%