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Derivatives and Other Financial Instruments - Schedule of Gains and Losses on Derivative Representing Either Hedge Ineffectiveness or Hedge Components Excluded from Assessment of Effectiveness are Recognized in Current Earnings (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2011
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing) | $ (3) | [1] | $ 4 | [1] | $ 6 | [1] | $ 4 | [1]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion) | 18 | [2] | (32) | [2] | 19 | [2] | (114) | [2]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) | (135) |  | 149 |  | (77) |  | 65 |
Amount of loss expected to be recognized into earnings over the next 12 months |  |  |  |  | 14 |  |  |
Amount of gain or (loss) recognized in earnings related to ineffective portion of hedging relationships | (5) |  | (1) |  | 5 |  | (1) |
Earnings recognized in relation to amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness | 2 |  | 5 |  | 1 |  | 5 |
Aluminum Contracts [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) | (138) |  | 145 |  | (72) |  | 53 |
Aluminum Contracts [Member] | Sales [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion) | 18 | [2] | (30) | [2] | 20 | [2] | (106) | [2]
Aluminum Contracts [Member] | Other (Income) Expenses, Net [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing) | (3) | [1] | 4 | [1] | 6 | [1] | 4 | [1]
Energy Contracts [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) | 2 |  | 6 |  | (3) |  | 14 |
Energy Contracts [Member] | Cost of Goods Sold [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion) |  |  | (2) | [2] |  |  | (8) | [2]
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) |  |  | 2 |  |  |  | 4 |
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Sales [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion) |  |  | 2 | [2] |  |  | 4 | [2]
Interest Rate Contract [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) |  |  | (2) |  |  |  | (2) |
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Interest Expense [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion) |  |  | (2) | [2] | (1) | [2] | (2) | [2]
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Other (Income) Expenses, Net [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion) |  |  |  |  |  |  | (2) | [2]
Interest Rate Contract [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) | $ 1 |  | $ (2) |  | $ (2) |  | $ (4) |
[1] | For the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the amount of gain or (loss) recognized in earnings represents $(5) and $5, respectively, related to the ineffective portion of the hedging relationships. There was also $2 and $1 recognized in earnings related to the amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. For both the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the amount of gain or (loss) recognized in earnings represents $(1) related to the ineffective portion of the hedging relationships. There was also $5 recognized in earnings related to the amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for both the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2011.
[2] | Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at September 30, 2012, a loss of $14 is expected to be recognized in earnings over the next 12 months.

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- Definition The estimated net amount of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7668309&loc=d3e80748-113994 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b(2) -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. + Details
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- Definition The effective portion of net gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph b -Clause 4 -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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G -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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4D -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624177-113959 + Details
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- Definition The portion of gains and losses (net) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments representing (a) the amount of the hedge ineffectiveness and (b) the amount, if any, excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 25 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(1),(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G -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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph b -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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
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- Definition The effective portion of gains and losses (net) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments that was recognized in other comprehensive income during the current period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G -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 (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph b -Clause 2 -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. + Details
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- Definition The portion of gains on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments representing (a) the amount of the hedge ineffectiveness and (b) the amount, if any, excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G -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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph b -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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 25 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986 + Details
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