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Contingencies and Commitments - Summary of Activity Related to Alba Matter (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments Contingencies And Litigation [Line Items] |  |  |
Government investigations | $ 782 | $ 172 | $ 281
Civil suit | 19,286 | 20,401 | 20,480
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes | (1,816) | 324 | 1,063
Benefit for income taxes | 428 | 162 | 255
Net (loss) income | (2,244) | 162 | 805
Alba [Member] |  |  |
Commitments Contingencies And Litigation [Line Items] |  |  |
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes | 384 | 85 |
Benefit for income taxes | 66 | 18 |
Net (loss) income | 318 | 67 |
Alba [Member] | Government Investigation [Member] |  |  |
Commitments Contingencies And Litigation [Line Items] |  |  |
Government investigations | 384 |  |
Alba [Member] | Civil Suit [Member] |  |  |
Commitments Contingencies And Litigation [Line Items] |  |  |
Civil suit |  | 85 |
Alcoa [Member] | Alba [Member] |  |  |
Commitments Contingencies And Litigation [Line Items] |  |  |
Reallocation of civil suit | 21 |  |
Reallocation of legal costs | 20 |  |
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes | 367 | 51 |
Benefit for income taxes | 66 | 18 |
Net (loss) income | 301 | 33 |
Alcoa [Member] | Alba [Member] | Government Investigation [Member] |  |  |
Commitments Contingencies And Litigation [Line Items] |  |  |
Government investigations | 326 |  |
Alcoa [Member] | Alba [Member] | Civil Suit [Member] |  |  |
Commitments Contingencies And Litigation [Line Items] |  |  |
Civil suit |  | 51 |
Alumina [Member] | Alba [Member] |  |  |
Commitments Contingencies And Litigation [Line Items] |  |  |
Reallocation of civil suit | (21) |  |
Reallocation of legal costs | (20) |  |
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes | 17 | 34 |
Net (loss) income | 17 | 34 |
Alumina [Member] | Alba [Member] | Government Investigation [Member] |  |  |
Commitments Contingencies And Litigation [Line Items] |  |  |
Government investigations | 58 |  |
Alumina [Member] | Alba [Member] | Civil Suit [Member] |  |  |
Commitments Contingencies And Litigation [Line Items] |  |  |
Civil suit |  | $ 34 |

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- Definition Total costs related to goods produced and sold during the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 2 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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- Definition Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
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