Entity Central Index Key Document document and entity information. Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Land held on which ilmenite is mined. Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Current assets: Assets Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Restricted cash Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Accounts and other receivables Receivables Net Current Receivable from affiliate Due From Affiliate Current Inventories, net Inventory Net Prepaid expenses and other Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Total current assets Assets Current Other assets: Assets Noncurrent [Abstract] Investment in TiO2 manufacturing joint venture Investments In Affiliates Subsidiaries Associates And Joint Ventures Marketable securities Marketable Securities Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent Other Other Assets Noncurrent Total other assets Assets Noncurrent Property and equipment: Property Plant And Equipment Net [Abstract] Land Land Buildings Buildings And Improvements Gross Equipment Machinery And Equipment Gross Mining properties Mining Properties Construction in progress Construction In Progress Gross Gross property and equipment Property Plant And Equipment Gross Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Net property and equipment Property Plant And Equipment Net Total assets Assets Current liabilities: Liabilities Current [Abstract] Current maturities of long-term debt Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Current Payables to affiliates Due To Affiliate Current Income taxes Accrued Income Taxes Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities Current Total current liabilities Liabilities Current Noncurrent liabilities: Liabilities Noncurrent [Abstract] Long-term debt Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Accrued pension cost Defined Benefit Pension Plan Liabilities Noncurrent Accrued postretirement benefits cost Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plan Liabilities Noncurrent Other Other Liabilities Noncurrent Total noncurrent liabilities Liabilities Noncurrent Stockholders' equity: Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Common stock, $.01 par value; 240.0 shares authorized; 115.9 shares issued Common Stock Value Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Retained deficit Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Total stockholders' equity Stockholders Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Common stock, par value Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, authorized Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Shares Issued Commitments and contingencies (Notes 10 and 15) Commitments And Contingencies Other operating income expense. Income Statement [Abstract] Net sales Sales Revenue Net Cost of sales Cost Of Goods Sold Gross margin Gross Profit Selling, general and administrative expense Selling General And Administrative Expense Other operating income (expense): Other Operating Income Expense [Abstract] Currency transaction gains (losses), net Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax Disposition of property and equipment Gain Loss On Disposition Of Assets Other income (expense), net Other Operating Income Expense Net Corporate expense Other Cost And Expense Operating Income (loss) from operations Operating Income Loss Other income (expense): Nonoperating Income Expense [Abstract] Interest and dividend income Investment Income Interest And Dividend Securities transactions, net Marketable Securities Gain Loss Loss on prepayment of debt, net Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt Interest expense Interest Expense Income (loss) before income taxes Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Income tax expense (benefit) Income Tax Expense Benefit Net income (loss) Net Income Loss Net income (loss) per basic and diluted share Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted Cash dividends per share Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid Weighted average shares used in the calculation of net income (loss) per share Weighted Average Number Of Share Outstanding Basic And Diluted Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures Defined Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plan and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Defined Benefit Plans [Domain] OPEB Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Defined Benefit [Member] Defined Contribution Plan Type Defined Contribution Plan Type [Axis] Defined Contribution Plan Type Defined Contribution Plan Type [Domain] Defined Benefit Pension Plans Pension Plans Defined Benefit [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Net income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent [Abstract] Marketable securities Other Comprehensive Income Availableforsale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent Currency translation Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent Defined benefit plans Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Total other comprehensive income (loss), net Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Equity Components Statement Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component Equity Component [Domain] Common stock Common Stock [Member] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Retained earnings (deficit) Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Treasury stock Treasury Stock [Member] Beginning Balance Other comprehensive loss, net of tax Issuance of common stock Stock Issued During Period Value New Issues Dividends paid Dividends Common Stock Cash Ending Balance Treasury stock acquired Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method Treasury stock retired Treasury Stock Retired Cost Method Amount Amount paid to extinguish secured notes prior to maturity. Cash received from (paid to) TiO2 manufacturing joint venture. Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities Major Types Of Debt And Equity Securities [Axis] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities Major Types Of Debt And Equity Securities [Domain] TIMET Common Stock. TIMET common stock T I M E T Common Stock [Member] Mutual funds. Mutual funds Mutual Funds [Member] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Loss on prepayment of debt, net Call premium paid Call Premium Paid Security transactions, net Benefit plan expense greater (less) than cash funding Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Expense Distributions from (contributions to) TiO2 manufacturing joint venture, net Dividends Or Distributions From Equity Method Investments Other, net Other Noncash Income Expense Change in assets and liabilities: Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts and other receivables Increase Decrease In Accounts And Other Receivables Inventories Increase Decrease In Inventories Prepaid expenses Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Income taxes Increase Decrease In Accrued Income Taxes Payable Accounts with affiliates Increase Decrease Due From Affiliates Other noncurrent assets Increase Decrease In Other Noncurrent Assets Other noncurrent liabilities Increase Decrease In Other Noncurrent Liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Capital expenditures Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment Loan to Valhi: Proceeds From Collection Of Payments To Fund Longterm Loans To Related Parties [Abstract] Loans Payments To Fund Longterm Loans To Related Parties Collections Proceeds From Collection Of Longterm Loans To Related Parties Proceeds from sale of marketable securities: Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Marketable Securities [Abstract] Proceeds from sale of marketable securities Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Change in restricted cash Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash And Investments Other, net Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations Cash paid Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] Indebtedness: Proceeds From Repayments Of Long Term Debt And Capital Securities [Abstract] Borrowings Proceeds From Long Term Lines Of Credit Principal payments Repayments Of Long Term Debt Deferred financing fees Payments Of Financing Costs Dividends paid Payments Of Dividends Common Stock Treasury stock acquired Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock Other, net Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations Cash and cash equivalents - net change from: Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease [Abstract] Operating, investing and financing activities Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Excluding Exchange Rate Effect Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents Net change for the year Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Balance at beginning of year Balance at end of year Supplemental disclosures – cash paid for: Cash Paid [Abstract] Interest (including call premium), net of amounts capitalized Interest Paid Net Income taxes Income Taxes Paid Net Accrual for capital expenditures Capital Expenditures Incurred But Not Yet Paid Accounting Policies [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Geographic information. Segments Geographical Areas [Abstract] Geographic Information Geographic Information [Text Block] Receivables [Abstract] Accounts and Other Receivables Loans Notes Trade And Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Inventory Disclosure [Abstract] Inventories, Net Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract] Investment in TiO2 Manufacturing Joint Venture Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block] Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract] Marketable Securities Marketable Securities [Text Block] Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Other Noncurrent Assets Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Payables And Accruals [Abstract] Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Long-Term Debt Long Term Debt [Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract] Other Noncurrent Liabilities Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Equity [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]