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Receivables - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012
Sold receivables that remain uncollected |  | $ 37
Sale of customer receivables | 304 |
Cash received for receivables | 50 |
Deferred purchase price receivable | 254 |
Additional funding received |  | 155
Purchase price receivable |  | 18
Accounts receivables |  | 3,339
Cash collections |  | 3,116
Gross cash outflows from deferred purchased receivables |  | 3,339
Gross cash inflows from deferred purchased receivables |  | 3,321
Maximum [Member] |  |
Funding of customer receivables sold | 250 |
Minimum [Member] |  |
Funding of customer receivables sold | $ 50 |

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- Definition Amount Of Sold Receivables Remain Uncollected + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aa_AmountOfSoldReceivablesRemainUncollected
Namespace Prefix: | aa_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Cash Inflow From Deferred Purchase Receivable + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aa_CashInflowFromDeferredPurchaseReceivable
Namespace Prefix: | aa_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Cash Outflow From Deferred Purchase Receivable + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aa_CashOutflowFromDeferredPurchaseReceivable
Namespace Prefix: | aa_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Commitment Of Additional Funding For Development Of Reserves + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aa_CommitmentOfAdditionalFundingForDevelopmentOfReserves
Namespace Prefix: | aa_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Deferred purchase price customer receivables + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aa_DeferredPriceCustomerReceivables
Namespace Prefix: | aa_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Funding of customer receivables sold + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aa_FundingOfCustomerReceivablesSold
Namespace Prefix: | aa_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Sale of customer receivables + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aa_SaleOfCustomerReceivables
Namespace Prefix: | aa_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition For unclassified balance sheet, amounts due from customers or clients for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.9) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The cash inflow associated with the collection of other receivables not otherwise defined in the taxonomy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 15, 16 -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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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The cash inflow associated with the sale of receivables arising from the financing of goods and services. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Amount due from customers for fees and charges arising from transactions related to the entity's brokerage activities and operations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG) -Number AAG-BRD -Paragraph 35 -IssueDate 2006-05-01 -Chapter 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. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant