Supplemental financial information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest and debt expense	$ (24)		$ (21)		$ (71)		$ (62)
Provision for income taxes	(187)		(59)		(421)		(285)
Net income	629		784		1,651		1,495
Non-U.S. Defined Benefit [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Settlement loss	4		193		4		193
Non-U.S. Defined Benefit [Member] | Offset By Settlement Loss Related to Recognition of Previously Unrecognized Actuarial Losses Included In AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Settlement loss			193
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net actuarial gains (losses)	24	[1],[2]	211	[1],[2]	71	[1],[2]	249	[1],[2]
Provision for income taxes	(11)		(83)		(25)		(98)
Net income	13		128		46		151
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Prior service cost	(2)	[2],[3]	0	[2],[3]	(5)	[2],[3]	0	[2],[3]
Provision for income taxes	1		0		2		0
Net income	(1)		0		(3)		0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Other Derivative Contract [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest and debt expense	0		0		2		0
Provision for income taxes	0		0		(1)		0
Net income	$ 0		$ 0		$ 1		$ 0

[1] Net actuarial gains (losses) of defined benefit plans is equal to the sum of Recognized net actuarial loss and Settlement loss as detailed in Note 7. This also includes the settlement loss of $193 million associated with the transfer of the Japan substitutional pension in 2012.

[2] This AOCI component is included in the computation of total employee benefit cost which is allocated to COR, R&D, SG&A and Restructuring charges/other in the Consolidated statements of income.

[3] Prior service cost of defined benefit plans is equal to the sum of Amortization of prior service cost (credit) and Curtailment gain as detailed in Note 7.