Restructuring charges (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2009 Previous Actions [Member] Jobs	Jun. 30, 2012 Previous Actions [Member] Employee severance and benefits charges reserves [Member]		Jun. 30, 2012 Previous Actions [Member] Business restructuring impairments and other charges [Member]		Jun. 30, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] facilities	Jun. 30, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Employee severance and benefits charges reserves [Member]		Jun. 30, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Business restructuring impairments and other charges [Member]		Jun. 30, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Accelerated depreciation of facility assets [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Accelerated depreciation of facility assets [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Other exit costs [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Other exit costs [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Total costs expected to be recognized from announcement date to middle of next fiscal year [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Total costs expected to be recognized from announcement date to middle of next fiscal year [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Employee severance and benefits charges reserves [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Total costs expected to be recognized from announcement date to middle of next fiscal year [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Accelerated depreciation of facility assets [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Total costs expected to be recognized from announcement date to middle of next fiscal year [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Other exit costs [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]
Restructuring and related activities, Number of facilities closing														2
Additional restructuring and related charges																							$ 215	$ 135	$ 30	$ 50
Restructuring charges	13	0	23		0						13	23	135						4	9	9	14
Number of jobs eliminated (in jobs)						3,900
Changes in Accrued Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning accrual			116				13		7						96		0
Restructuring charges			23				0		0						2		21
Non-cash items			(7)	[1]			0	[1]	0	[1]					3	[1]	(10)	[1]
Payments			(18)				(5)		(1)						(4)		(8)
Remaining accrual	$ 114		$ 114				$ 8		$ 6						$ 97		$ 3

[1] Reflects charges for curtailment and special termination benefits relating to the postretirement benefit plans and accelerated depreciation.