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Marketable securities - Additional Information (Detail) (TIMET Common Stock [Member], USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
--- | --- | ---
TIMET Common Stock [Member] |  |
Equity [Line Items] |  |
Common stock outstanding, shares | 6.5 | 6.5
TIMET's common stock | $ 12.83 | $ 14.98

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