| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 100330 - Disclosure - Other Assets (Tables) (http://www.nl-ind.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOtherAssetsTables) |
| Table | (Implied) |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0000072162 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract] | Period [Axis] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2016-01-01 - 2016-12-31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary of Other Assets |
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