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Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest in CompX common stock	$ 13,183	$ 13,268
NL stockholders' equity	395,683	374,815
Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	78,994	85,035
CompX promissory note payable to TIMET Finance Management Company	18,230	18,480
Noncontrolling interest in CompX common stock	13,183	13,268
NL stockholders' equity	395,683	374,815
Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	78,994	85,035
CompX promissory note payable to TIMET Finance Management Company	18,230	18,480
Noncontrolling interest in CompX common stock	20,741	23,409
NL stockholders' equity	$ 604,954	$ 557,259

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Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (that is, noncontrolling interest, previously referred to as minority interest).

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