[3] This property led to its extensive use in crystal phonograph cartridges, microphones and earpieces during the post-World War II consumer electronics boom of the mid-20th century.It is then basified with hot saturated sodium hydroxide solution to pH 8, decolorized with activated charcoal, and chemically purified before being filtered.The salt is separated from the mother liquor by centrifugation, accompanied by washing of the granules, and is dried in a rotary furnace and sieved before packaging.[2] Larger crystals of Rochelle salt have been grown under conditions of reduced gravity and convection on board Skylab.[9] In 1919, Alexander McLean Nicolson worked with Rochelle salt, developing audio-related inventions like microphones and speakers at Bell Labs.
Space-filling model of part of the crystal structure of potassium sodium tartrate
Crystals of potassium sodium tartrate tetrahydrate