Abstract: Apparatus, flexible pipe body and methods are disclosed. The apparatus comprising at least one connector body comprising a first restraining arm portion and an opposed further restraining arm portion, each extending outwardly away from a common intersecting region of the connector body and comprising a respective locking surface, and at least one support arm portion that extends from the common intersecting region substantially perpendicular to the opposed arm portions and terminates with a flared end portion providing an abutment surface, wherein a distance between the common intersecting region and an abutment surface is less than 60% of said predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing erosion protection to self-interlocking windings of a carcass layer of a flexible pipe. The method includes the steps of, via a wound sacrificial insert located over at least a portion of an inner facing surface of self-interlocking windings of a carcass layer, shielding at least a flow facing edge region of each self-interlocking winding from abrasive elements carried by a bore fluid flowing along a bore of the flexible pipe from an upstream to a downstream location.