The thermal properties of barium hydroxide octahydrate(Ba(OH)2·8H2O) were measured by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC).The DSC measurement method can be used for phase change temperature and latent heat of salt hydrates.The cross section image from scanning electron microscope(SEM) indicates that Ba(OH)2·8H2O and copper present excellent compatibility.Experiments were conducted to investigate heat transfer characteristics of Ba(OH)2·8H2O with/without copper foams.The results show that melting time of the phase change material(PCM) is shortened by 26% in PCM solid zone and the heat transfer rate of the PCM is enhanced.The supercooling degree of Ba(OH)2·8H2O is reduced by 50%.