Note 6 - Derivative Instruments (Detail) - Impact to Consolidated Statements of Operations of Derivatives (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Derivative	$ (42)	$ 22
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative	(42)	22
Nickel Swaps [Member]
Derivative	77	65
Embedded Customer Derivatives [Member]
Derivative	$ (77)	$ (65)

Total amount of gain (loss) derived from fair value hedges recognized in earnings in the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgesRecognizedInEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration